A brace from Davies inspires Posh U18s to victory over The Tykes.
Joe Davies netted twice, including a wonderful opener from around 25 yards out, as Peterborough United U18s secured their first victory of the Under-18 Professional Development League campaign after a 3-2 victory over Barnsley U18s on Saturday afternoo.
The Tykes brought the scores level just before the half-hour mark before Dennis Kelmendi poked home on the stroke of half-time to reinstate Posh’s lead. Davies extended the under 18s advantage with just eight minutes left on the clock, the visitors quickly replied to pull a goal back but found themselves down to 10 men in injury-time as Posh claimed the three points at idverde Training Ground.
The deadlock was broken on nine minutes and it was a stunning goal from Davies - arguably a Goal of the Month contender - as he picked up the ball in his own half, evaded a number of challenges as he advanced forward before unleashing an effort from around 25 yards out and into the top corner.
Posh looked to extend on their advantage, with Kelmendi, Davies and George Holley all having efforts blocked in quick succession, while The Tykes’ Malachi Mbogba saw his effort from distance go wide of the post.
The Tykes found the equaliser on 27 minutes as Emmasia Nzondo’s looping header went over Jake West and into the back of the net. After a period of very few chances from either side, Posh reinstated their lead just before the break, Holley’s effort from outside the box landed at the feet of Kelmendi inside the area and he poked the ball home.
Harley Mills’ free-kick forced Trent Carter-Rodgers into a save at his front-post before Bayley McCann’s free-kick from the edge of the box found the side-netting as both sides looked to start the second half strongly.
Posh made their first change on 66 minutes as Max Beech was replaced by Benjamin Marcano-McWilliams. Jonathan Bland sent a low-driven free-kick towards the bottom corner, but it was comfortable for West.
With the clock ticking down, Davies grabbed his second goal of the afternoon and the third for Posh, Marcano-McWilliams played the ball into Davies just inside the area and he slotted his left-footed effort into the bottom corner. Just two minutes later, the visitors cut the deficit as their Trialist rose highest to head home from close-range.
The Tykes were down to 10-men in the closing stages of the game as Astin Brace was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Holley as the under 18s defended resolutely to secure their first victory of the league campaign.
Academy Manager Dan Robinson said: “It was a good team performance. They all stuck together, scored some great goals, and in parts of the game, played some really good football, but also dug in at times and did the hard work without the ball, which was really pleasing.
“Every single player worked their socks off. We have got some great technical players in midfield, very good with the ball and we talked to them last week about the work they have to do out of possession and they showed that against Barnsley."
Posh XI: West, Freeman, Rose, Toynton, Mills, Marcon (Fox, 88min), Holley, Beech (Marcano-McWilliams, 66min), Kelmendi, Davies (Fitzpatrick, 90min), Ntege.
Subs Not Used: Sakalas, Kovaci.