A double from O’Brien-Brady inspires Posh U21s to victory at the idverde Training Ground.
Peterborough United U21s came from behind to secure their first victory of the Professional Development League campaign as a brace from Donay O’Brien-Brady and Jacob Wakeling inspired the under 21s to a 3-1 win over Burnley on Tuesday afternoon.
Posh carved out an early opportunity on two minutes as Jacob Wakeling’s cross was met by Malik Mothersille inside the box and his first-time effort on the volley went over the bar. The visitors opened the scoring on nine minutes as Murray Campbell’s ball over the top is met by Joe Westley and he lobbed Fynn Talley with his first touch.
On 22 minutes, O’Brien-Brady played the ball across to Wakeling just inside the area, his effort was straight into the hands of Charlie Casper, while Westley’s free-kick from distance was comfortable for Talley. Posh started to grow into the game as the first half progressed, produced some lovely first-touch football but no one was inside the box to convert Harley Mills’ cross.
Kai Corbett saw a free-kick from around 20 yards out blocked by the wall before his rebound was denied once again, the visitors then broke in numbers quickly as Westley dragged his effort wide of the post. Mothersille had the final opportunity before the break, Donay O’Brien-Brady feeding the ball into the path of the Posh forward but his effort was blocked by a Clarets defender.
Posh made a scheduled change at the break as Gabe Overton replaced Mothersille, completing his first 45 minutes since joining the club in the summer. Wakeling advanced into the box as the visitors failed to clear the ball, but he blasted an effort over the bar from a tight angle.
The equaliser came on 51 minutes and was a brilliant finish from O’Brien-Brady, Casper’s kick fell straight to the midfielder and he struck the ball on the half-volley, from around 25 yards out, into the bottom corner. Wakeling had a golden opportunity to put Posh ahead minutes later, but sent his effort wide after getting behind the visitors' backline.
Wakeling eventually grabbed his goal on 59 minutes and it was a lovely move by Posh, starting with James Dornelly into O’Brien-Brady, he played in Corbett on the right and his lofted cross to the back-post was headed home by Wakeling.
Sam Dreyer rose highest to Corbett’s corner, but sent his header over the bar. Posh extended their advantage on 69 minutes as Wakeling flicked the ball over the top and into O’Brien-Brady, he advanced into the box before curling his left-footed effort into the bottom corner.
Gabe Overton saw a deflected effort fall straight into the hands of Casper before Talley was called into action in the closing stages, denying Tom Tweeny from close-range as Posh held out to secure their first victory of the Professional Development League campaign.
Posh XI: Talley, Dornelly, Dreyer, Fernandez (Thomas, 48min), Mills, Chiha (Titchmarsh, 76min), McGlinchey, O’Brien-Brady, Corbett, Mothersille (Overton, 46min), Wakeling.
Subs Not Used: West, Trialist.