Posh U18s secure a comfortable victory over The U’s.
Peterborough United U18s made it nine consecutive wins in all competitions, including six victories on the bounce in the Under-18 Professional Development League, after a 5-0 victory over Colchester United U18s on Saturday morning.
After a stalemate in the first 45 minutes, Jamal Campbell-Ryce’s men came storming out in the second half and grabbed four goals inside the opening 15 minutes, with two of them from defender Benjamin Arthur.
The hosts had the game's first opportunity as Kennedy Mupomba unleashed a shot towards goal, but it went well over the bar. Reuben Marshall carved out a chance on 20 minutes as he won the ball back inside the opposition’s box, but couldn’t send his effort on target.
Jake West was called into action on 37 minutes to produce a fantastic double save to keep out shots from Mupomba and Ewan Gordon-Clement. The deadlock was broken just two minutes after the break as Torin Ntege pressed high to force the defender into a mistake and Marshall picked up the ball before firing home the opener.
Posh doubled their advantage on 53 minutes as Harley Mills’ corner from the right-hand side evaded everyone inside the box and found the back of the net. Three minutes later, it was three for Posh as Mills turned provider this time as Benjamin Arthur met his corner and he directed his header into the ground and past the goalkeeper.
Campbell-Ryce’s side grabbed their fourth goal in 13 minutes, three in seven minutes, and it was Arthur once again as he rose the highest at the back-post to Mills’ corner and forced the ball home to double his tally of the afternoon.
Tyler Winters extended Posh’s advantage on 79 minutes as Dennis Kelmendi latched onto a short pass by The U’s goalkeeper, he advanced towards the byline before cutting it back to Winters to convert from close-range.
Speaking on the game, Campbell-Ryce said: “It was a game of two halves, but we could have been out of sight in the first half. The amount of chances we had in the opening 10 minutes and couldn’t capitalise on them, just wasn’t ruthless enough. We scored early in the second half and then it was five before we knew it, which made it comfortable for us and was really good to watch at times.
“The opening 45 minutes was the complete opposite, they changed their shape and were double aggressive against us. We sort of panicked and couldn’t handle the pressure, so I spoke to the players at the break and they answered it in the right way.”
Posh XI: West, Dornelly, Arthur, Rose, Mills, Unwin, Challinor, Titchmarsh, Ntege, Marshall, Changunda.
Subs: McCann, Winters, Kelmendi, Marcon, Trialist.