Kirk netted twice as Posh Women secure another three points at the Abbey Lawn.
A clinical second half performance from Peterborough United Women saw them return to winning ways in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands after a 3-0 victory over Leafield Athletic on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors carved out the first opportunity of the game on seven minutes as Daisy Mai-Clements got behind the Posh defence and lifted the ball over the on-rushing Neive Corry, but her effort went wide of the post.
After a very even opening 20 minutes, Tara Kirk went the closest for Posh as she took down Jess Evans’ throw-in, turned her defender before sending her effort into the side-netting. Stacey McConville’s lofted ball over the top set Kirk through on-goal, but her half-volley went well over the bar as Posh picked up the tempo.
The visitors’ keeper Colette Bell was forced into a terrific save on 30 minutes, tipping over Cassie Steward’s effort from the edge of the box, which looked to be heading into the top left-hand corner, over the bar. Jessica Lowe then took aim from distance and her shot failed to test Corry as the sides went into the break all square.
Posh broke the deadlock on 47 minutes as Evans’ throw-in landed to Kirk inside the box who turned her defender once again before guiding her half-volley into the top right-hand corner. It became two just three minutes later and it was a lovely team goal from Dan Lawlor’s side as Kirk advanced down the right-hand side before sending a low cross into the box, Perkins’ touch teed up Driscoll and she slotted her left-footed effort into the bottom corner.
Megan Lawlor’s corner caused mayhem inside the visitors’ box and saw the ball fall to Perkins, but her effort was blocked by a Leafield defender. Lawlor made two changes on 69 minutes as Rachel Lawrence and Kayleigh Aylmer replaced Perkins and Evans.
Kirk received the ball on the edge of the box and switched it onto her left-foot, sending her effort wide of the post. Another change was made for Posh on 77 minutes as Steward made way for Emerging Talent Centre graduate Edyn Osker to make her debut for the first team.
Posh extended their advantage on 80 minutes as the ball was played to Taylor Dean on the right area of the box and her effort was palmed away by Bell, but only to Kirk and she tapped home from close-range to grab her second of the game.
Osker nearly capped a wonderful day for herself as Dean’s low cross found the youngster just inside the box and her first-time shot bounced just wide of the post as Posh returned to winning ways in the FA Women’s National League and back to fourth in the table.
Posh XI: Corry, Driscoll-King, Mugridge, Connor, Evans (Aylmer, 69min), McConville, Steward (Osker, 77min), Driscoll, Lawlor (Dean, 80min), Kirk, Perkins (Lawrence, 69min)
Subs Not Used: Oliveira.