Five Star Posh Hammer Lions
Peterborough United bounced back from Saturday's home reverse to Bradford City with a thumping 5-1 victory over last season's play-off finalists Millwall at the ABAX Stadium.Grant McCann's men ran riot at times and could have easily scored more than the five they managed with a man of the match display from Paul Taylor.
Taylor was joined on the scoresheet by the excellent Gwion Edwards who netted twice, while Tom Nichols and Marcus Maddison also found the target.
Paul Taylor was presented with a glorious early chance after combining with Gwion Edwards, but the striker opened up his body and screwed his shot inches wide of the target.
Moments later, Posh got themselves in front as a curling cross from Marcus MADDISON eluded everyone and found the back of the net past the despairing dive of Archer.
Less than 60 seconds later, Posh were two goals to the good as TAYLOR burst through and drilled the ball low past Archer to cap a stunning few minutes for Grant McCann's men.
Morison fired wide at the other end as the Lions tried to compose themselves after a lightening start by Posh. Abdou then curled over the bar after Ferguson was denied by Alnwick who then stayed on his feet to prevent any rebound.
It was 3-0 to Posh on 20 minutes as a wonderful pass from Smith was met by EDWARDS who saw his header nestle into the net with Archer only able to get a hand to it.
A well worked short corner kick routine involving Maddison and Taylor created a shooting opportunity for Nichols on 27 minutes, but his left-foot drive went wide.
Martin was cautioned for kicking Maddison into the air on the touchline moments later as Posh continued to play some lovely football.
Alnwick did well to keep out a Gregory effort on 32 minutes as the visitors cut open Posh with a quickfire one-two involving Morison.
Thompson was a whisker away from reducing the arrears on 36 minutes following a very clean strike from distance before Morison curled wide. Hughes saw a header cleared off the line from a Maddison corner kick before Baldwin fired well over the bar with the rebound.
Edwards fired wide of the far post after a strong run on 42 minutes. Baldwin was cautioned for a foul after overplaying in stoppage time with Ferguson seeing a shot blocked by Bostwick.
A brave Forrester header prevented Aidan O'Brien from firing a consolation on 49 minutes. It was 4-0 to Posh on 52 minutes as Nichols timed his run to perfection and picked out an unmarked EDWARDS in the box who had a simple task of firing into the gaping net for his second of the evening.
The visitors made their second change of the night on 64 minutes with Fred Onyedinma replacing O'Brien. Maddison fired over from long-range after a raking pass from one side of the pitch to the other from Michael Bostwick.
That fifth goal did arrive on 67 minutes and it is the ones that the striker absolutely loves. Jermaine Anderson harassed the Lions defence, his shot was beaten away by Archer and there was NICHOLS to stab home the rebound.
Posh made a double cange on 74 minutes with Shaquile Coulthirst and Adil Nabi replacing the excellent Taylor and Edwards. The visitors reduced the arrears on 78 minutes as veteran striker Steve MORISON fired through the legs of goalkeeper Alnwick from close-range.
Millwall played the final 10 minutes with 10-men as Hutchinson limped out of the action less than five minutes after coming on. Maddison saw an effort tipped around the post by Archer as Posh pushed for a sixth goal.
Posh: Alnwick, Smith, Hughes, Bostwick, Baldwin, Edwards (sub Coulthirst 74min), Forrester, Taylor, (sub Nabi 74min) Maddison, J. Anderson, Nichols (sub Gormley 85min). Unused subs: Tyler, Almeida Santos, White, Chettle.
Millwall: Archer, Martin (sub Wylde 46min), Craig, Thompson, Gregory, Romeo, Webster, Ferguson (sub Hutchinson 76min), Morison, O'Brien (sub Onyedinma 64min), Abdou. Unused subs: King, Worrall, Nelson, Philpot.
Half-time: Peterborough United 3-0 Millwall
Full-time: Peterborough United 5-1 Millwall
Attendance: 5,007 (648 Millwall fans)