Posh U18s secure victory over The Blades at Bramall Lane.
Peterborough United U18s secured an impressive 2-0 victory over Sheffield United U18s at Bramall Lane on Wednesday afternoon in the Professional Development, with Tyler Winters netting his sixth goal in his last four games.
The hosts started the game brightly and forced Jake West into an early save as he tipped Ben Drake’s free-kick from around 30-yards out over the bar. Posh carved out their first real opportunity on 10 minutes after some good build-up play found Harley Mills on the left-hand side, his cross was met by Tyler Winters at the back-post but he couldn’t direct his header towards goal.
Dennis Kelmendi then dragged an effort wide of the far-post after turning his defender on the edge of the box. Posh broke the deadlock on 27 minutes as Mills won the ball back on the far left, sent in another brilliant delivery and Winters headed home the opener, taking his tally to 18 goals this season.
Posh nearly had a second moments later as Kelmendi had plenty of space on the right area of the box, but his effort was straight at the goalkeeper. Josh Marcon then saw his effort deflected wide after Mills’ free-kick was only cleared to the midfielder on the edge of the box.
Mills and Winters linked-up once again in the early stages of the second half, but the latter header went straight into the goalkeeper's hands. Sam Colechin had an opportunity to grab an equaliser on 62 minutes, but Sam Colechin flashed a first-time effort wide of the post.
Minutes later, Tavio Ciccarelli advanced towards the byline before pulling it back to Billy Becker and his effort was blocked on the line by Mills. Torin Ntege was close to doubling their advantage on 71 minutes as the Trialist flick set Ntege through on-goal, but his effort was pushed over the bar by the goalkeeper.
West was called into action in the final 10 minutes, denying Jack Waldron with his feet after the Blades’ man found himself through on-goal. Waldron then managed to get another shot away from inside the box, but West got down low to save his effort.
In the closing seconds of the game, Posh sealed the victory at Bramall Lane as Ntege fed the ball through to the Trialist, who advanced into the box before calmly slotting the ball under the on-rushing goalkeeper.
Speaking on the game, Campbell-Ryce said: “In terms of competing, desire and everything I want to see in the performance, I would say that was arguably our best performance of the season. They are a really top side and you can see why they are second in the league. However, the players stood up to them and were outstanding, working incredibly hard, so I’m very delighted with the result.
“I thought in the first half, they had more of the possession, especially in the first 20 minutes, but we settled down and were comfortable. After the break, they applied pressure and when the players needed to show character and dig in, they all did that. Jake [West] was outstanding and made some top saves for us.”
Posh XI: West, Dornelly, Rose, Toynton, Mills, Challinor, Titchmarsh, Marcon, Kelmendi (McCann, 80mins), Winters (Trialist, 66mins), Marshall (Ntege, 57mins).
Subs Not Used: Laycock, Gilbert.