Back To Back Wins For Posh
Sometimes the best form of defence is attack and Peterborough United provided a second half full of verve, thrust and threat against a Coventry City side that missed a host of chances in the first half.After a Michael Bostwick header on the stroke of half-time, Posh went into the break with a slender lead, but that was down in the main to a wonderful goalkeeping performance by Ben Alnwick.
Substitute Lee Angol adding a second from a second assist of the night from Marcus Maddison before Harry Beautyman stroked home number three to secure maximum points for Graham Westley's men.
Former England international Joe Cole saw a snapshot tipped over by goalkeeper Ben Alnwick on eight minutes and two minutes later, the keeper was called upon again to push a Murphy drive around the post for a corner.
Rose planted a header wide from a corner kick on 13 minuts as the visitors continued to threaten. Murphy was denied by Alnwick after a clever pass forward from Joe Cole, who was an influential figure in the early exchanges.
Andrew Fox produced a superb clearance off the line to deny Murphy on 20 minutes who cut inside and fired towards the bottom corner.
Alnwick was called upon once again on the half hour mark as the space opened up for Sam Ricketts, his shot pushed around the post by the Posh keeper.
The Posh goalkeeper was in action again on 32 minutes as he beat away a fierce Fortune shot at the near post. Harry Beautyman found himself in a decent shooting position on 35 minutes through luck more than judgement and he tested Charles-Cook with a low shot from 25-yards.
Posh made a change on 38 minutes with Shaquile Coulthirst replacing Oztumer. Just before one minute of added time was signalled by the fourth official, Posh got themselves in front as a deep corner from Marcus Maddison was met by Michael BOSTWICK, who planted a header back across goal and into the back of the net.
Alnwick beat away a speculative effort from Fleck on 52 minutes after a strong run from substitute Jodi Jones. At the other end, Charles-Cook did well to keep out a rather deliberate curler from Forrester after a decent run from midfield.
Andrew Fox dragged a shot wide after a forceful run from left-back on 55 minutes before boss Graham Westley introduced Lee Angol with Jon Taylor the man replaced. Darius Henderson was introduced from the bench by Tony Mowbray.
On 61 minutes, Posh made it 2-0 as Maddison beat his man and cut the ball back superbly on his right-foot for the onrushing ANGOL who tucked home his first goal since November. It was the 13th assist of the season for Maddison.
Jacob Murphy cracked the post with a fierce drive at the back post moments later as the Sky Blues came close to halving the deficit. They did just that on 65 minutes as Jacob Murphy outpaced Angol down the left and cut the ball back for the onrushing COLE who buried the chance.
On 69 minutes, Posh extended their advantage once again as Coulthirst saw his shot blocked, but it fell invitingly for midfield man Harry BEAUTYMAN who coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Maddison then sent a stunning left-footed effort from fully 30-yards inches wide of the target.
Coventry brought on the experience of Marcus Tudgay in attack on 74 minutes with Fortune the man replaced. The experience of Simon Gillett was given the final 15 minutes with Beautyman the man replaced.
Maddison showed excellent close control to get past his man, but his ambitious effort from range cleared the crossbar. Williams was denied at the near post by Charles-Cook on 80 minutes before the impressive Alnwick kept out a low shot from Cole.
Alnwick was back in action on 83 minutes to push aside a bouncing effort from Fleck with Fox becoming the first player to be booked on 87 minutes for a tug back on Jones.
Posh: Alnwick, Baldwin, Taylor (sub Angol 55min), Bostwick (c), Oztumer (sub Coulthirst 38min) Maddison, Santos, Beautyman (sub Gillett 77min), Fox, Forrester, Williams. Unused subs: Tyler, Nichols, Chettle, Nabi.
Coventry: Charles-Cook, Vincelot, Fleck, Lorentzson, Cole, Rose (sub Jones 46min), Ricketts (c), Bigitimana (sub Henderson 60min), Martin, Murphy, Fortune (sub Tudgay 74min). Unused subs: Addai, Lamerias, Phillips, Hunt.
Attendance: 6,021 (886 Coventry fans)
Half-time: Peterborough United 1-0 Coventry
Full-time: Peterborough United 3-1 Coventry