Posh U21s secure victory over The Latics at the idverde Training Ground.
Peterborough United U21s claimed a hard-fought three points in the Professional Development League on Tuesday afternoon after a 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic at the idverde Training Ground.
The visitors had an early opportunity as a cut-back from Chris Sze saw the ball fall to Baba Adeeko on the edge of the box, but his effort was blocked. After a slow start, Posh carved out a big opportunity to break the deadlock on 17 minutes as Kellan Hickinson advanced towards the byline and played it across to Hisham Chiha inside the box, whose effort hit the post.
Posh struck the woodwork once again on 20 minutes as Reuben Marshall worked the ball onto his right-foot and his curling effort had beaten Tom Watson, but bounced off the far post.
The deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark as Kai Corbett’s free-kick was parried away by Watson, a clearance from the defender ricocheted off Roddy McGlinchey and found its way back into the box with Fernandez was there to force the ball home.
The Latics had two good opportunities to grab an equaliser before the break, both coming from Ethan Mitchell as his header from a corner struck the top of the crossbar. Shortly after, he rose highest at the back-post, but a backtracking Will Lakin somehow kept the ball out.
After a quiet start to the second half, Posh had a glorious opportunity to double their lead on the hour mark as they were awarded a penalty after Corbett was bundled to the floor. The forward stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Tom Watson guessed the right way to keep his side in the game.
However, Posh grabbed their second goal on 72 minutes after a pin-point delivery from Corbett found McGlinchey completely free inside the box and his side-footed effort on the volley found the back of the net. The visitors then found themselves down to 10-men after a scuffle broke out inside the Posh box and Joe Adams was shown a straight red card.
The visitors pulled a goal back in the final few minutes of the game as Harry McHugh’s deep free-kick was kept alive by Scott Smith and Mitchell was there to tap home.
Posh XI: Lakin, Mensah (Lamb, 80min), O’Connell, Fernandez, Powell, McGlinchey, Harris, Chiha (Titchmarsh, 85min), Hickinson (Tonge, 59min), Marshall, Corbett.
Subs Not Used: West, Fox.