Posh U18s edged out in an eight-goal contest at the idverde Training Ground.
Peterborough United U18s were beaten 5-3 by Crewe Alexandra U18s at the idverde Training Ground on Saturday afternoon in the Professional Development League, with Tyler Winters and Joe Davies netting the goals for Posh.
The Railwaymen broke the deadlock on 12 minutes as their forward raced behind the Posh backline, his effort was initially parried away by Ignas Sakalas but was taped home on the rebound.
The visitors doubled their lead on the hour mark as Sakalas’ pass ricocheted off their forward before he tapped home into the empty net. Two minutes, The Railwaymen extended their lead as a corner caused a scramble inside the box and was eventually forced home at the back-post.
It became four as their forward raced behind the Posh backline once again, shrugged off a defender before rounding Sakalas and placed his effort into the bottom corner. Posh pulled a goal back on 79 minutes as Trialist’s cross picked out Winters just outside the six-yard box and he calmly slotted home.
The Railwaymen reinstated their four-goal advantage on 81 minutes before Joe Davies cut the deficit with just five minutes left on the clock, his powerful strike from around 20 yards out finding the back of the net.
Winters grabbed his second goal of the afternoon on 87 minutes as Torin Ntege pulled the ball back to the forward inside the six-yard box and he converted from close-range, but it was too little too late for Posh.
Under 18s Lead Coach, Jimmy Unwin, said: “It was a strange game with some of the outcomes. I think it flattered Crewe in certain parts of it and we did give them some sloppy goals, but there were some pleasing performances in there.
“Notably from two under 16s who made their debut for the youth team, so that was good in that sense, especially when they were playing left-back and centre-back. We conceded five goals, but they did well when you consider where they come from and I was quite pleased with them in that sense.
“For the group, we need a bit more stronger mentality about playing to develop rather than going into it to try and win the game. It was also good to see Tyler [Winters] back on the scoresheet, he had three shots and scored two of them, and Joe [Davies] scored another good goal."