Joe Davies

Peterborough United Under 18s rallied back to clinch their first victory of the PDL Cup campaign against the Hatters. 

Posh would have anticipated a difficult afternoon as the early Group H pace setters travelled north to PE2, and that it proved to be as Joe Davies’ strike was the only difference between the two sides. 

With a point already under their belt, the result means a victory at Ipswich Town next month would all but secure a place in the knockout phases. 

Jimmy Unwin fielded a side with just one rotation from last time out, Bolu Shofowoke passed a late fitness test and came in to replace Max Beech who was left out of the squad due to injury. 

Posh started the match with real intent, but it was the visitors who had the first clear opening when Harry Fox’s free-kick was well-stopped by Ben Westcott on 13-minutes. 

Sykut then fashioned an opportunity down the other end, his effort was lashed wide of the post as the former looked to continue his impressive performances. 

On 25 minutes, Westcott received a caution after Jordan Iwhiwhu looked to latch onto a ball from deep, but was upended in his attempts to do so.  

Just a few minutes later and it was Luton who found themselves in front. Mathew TAKAWIRA headed home after he met Archie Shepperd’s delivery to hand the visitors with the lead. 

Posh reacted well to the setback and Eddie Fox fashioned an opportunity on half-hour when his effort was kept out smartly by Charlie Booth.  

From a sustained spell of pressure, Posh found themselves level on 41 minutes as Davies did well to find Patryk SKKUT who poked the ball home from point blank. 

Four minutes later and the visitors were ahead once more, Takawira forced Luke Gilbert to turn the ball into his own net when the ball was fizzed into the unfortunate defender. 

The whistle sounded for the interval and it was the visitors who had the upper hand despite opportunities at either end. 

The home side continued to push and were later rewarded with an opportunity to square proceedings from 12-yards after Davon Gbajumo was upended inside the visitors penalty area; Andre CHANGUNDA made no mistake when he slotted home the following spot-kick to make it two apiece.  

Not long after and Posh found the back of the net once more! Joe DAVIES added to his tally from midweek when the forward tucked the ball into the bottom corner past Booth. 

Davies was involved once more on 79-minutes when he dispossessed Enoch Sampson and advanced forward, but his effort was parried away for a corner. 

Posh controlled the final moments well and claimed maximum points as the Hatters’ unbeaten run came to an end. 

Posh: Westcott, Freeman, Gbajumo, Holley (sub Unwin, 45min), Mendonca, Gilbert (sub Claxton, 45min), Davies, Fox, Sykut, Shofowoke (sub McWilliams-Marcano, 63min), Changunda ©. Unused subs: Arber, Simmons. 

Half-Time: Posh U18s 1-2 Luton Town Under 18s 
Full Time: Posh U18s 3-2 Luton Town Under 18s