Posh Women Under 23s defeated against an experienced Magpies’ side.
The Peterborough United Women Under 23s fell to a 5-2 loss against an experienced Notts County Reserves side on a wet Sunday afternoon in their first FA Women’s National League Reserves Midlands Division home fixture of the season at the idverde Training Ground.
The Magpies’ took the lead inside the opening minute as a deflected cross from the left fell kindly to Nik Russell who headed across goal into the back of the net. Momentum for the opposition continued with Megan Dellar forced into action to deny Reea Bailey from close range before tipping Russell’s strike around the post.
Posh continued to weather the storm before the Magpies’ increased their lead as Barnes headed in from a corner. The Under 23s began to grow into the game with Emily Meli advancing forward, rounding Paige Ollerenshaw in goal but the ball ran out of play before she could unleash her shot. O’Connor capitalised on a poor pass from the back but could only direct her shot at Ollerenshaw.
Michael Allsebrook’s side reduced the deficit just after the half hour mark as Posh cleared the corner to MELI who advanced from her own half into the box before slotting into the bottom left corner.
Posh continued on the front foot and equalised minutes later as Georgie OLIVER struck on the half volley from outside the box to score her third goal in as many matches. Meli had the chance to give Posh the lead on the stroke of half time as she headed on from Kendal O’Connor’s cross into the box but she failed to test Ollerenshaw.
O’Connor struck from distance ten minutes into the second half but sent her effort wide of the post before substitute Faith Iyawa recovered well to prevent the Magpies’ from unleashing an effort.
In the 66th minute, the Magpies’ restored their lead as a corner caused havoc in the Posh box with blue shirts and Dellar denying the opposition before the ball eventually fell into the back of the net. Minutes later, Notts County extended their lead as Dellar initially did well to parry an effort away but the ball fell kindly to a player in stripes before slotting into the back of the net.
Posh rattled the crossbar with under 20 minutes to go as substitute Jess Abrantes advanced forward before squaring the ball to Katie Gee but her effort ricocheted off the woodwork. Mears struck from distance inches wide of the post before the Magpies’ hit the side post.
With minutes to spare, Ellie Curson’s corner fooled the crowd as it brushed the side netting. The Magpies’ added a fifth in the final minute as Dellar did well one-on-one to deny the forward but her tackle fell invitingly to the midfielder who fired into the back of the net.
The Posh Women Under 23s are next in action on Sunday as they travel to face Doncaster Rovers Belles Reserves.
Under 23s manager, Michael Allsebrook, said following the game: “We knew it would be a challenge against a squad with several tier 4 players in it. We expected a more physical game and for them to be more intelligent than we were but we know we have the technical ability to match them. Looking at the game, we had enough chances to at least draw the game so overall I’m proud. The performance was good enough to take away from the game.
“Last year, we were quite good at keeping clean sheets and keeping games tight but this year we seem to have flipped that around; we’re so much better going forward but we look in trouble when the opposition go forward. We’ve got a lot to work on still, we knew that with the players stepping up to the first team. Whilst we’re scoring goals, we need to look at how we can stop conceding.”
“Georgie (Oliver) has done well in midfield since coming in during pre-season; she took her goal well again today. Emily (Meli)’s attitude is spot on and showed again today the threat she has in front of goal.”
Posh XI: Dellar, Richards-Reeves, Sands, Curson, Gee, Mears, Podd, Oliver, Akinyemi, O’Connor, Meli.
Subs Used: T.Smith, Iyawa, King, Abrantes.
Unused Sub: G.Smith.
- Photo Credit: Keira Thurston