Peterborough United Under 18s topped off a valuable pre-season campaign with a commanding victory over Huntingdon United on Sunday afternoon.
Peterborough United Under 18s ran out 8-1 victors against Huntingdon United on Sunday afternoon with a well-worked hat-trick from Trialist A complemented by a Max Beech brace and respective strikes from Joe Davies, George Holley and Andre Changunda, which helped to secure Jimmy Unwin’s side the victory on a charitable occasion in PE28.
Unwin named a heavily rotated side from the one that featured at Norwich City on Tuesday afternoon, with the six alterations proving to be imperative as his side picked up a first victory of the pre-season programme, and in style.
It didn’t take long for Posh to break the deadlock, Max BEECH continued his pre-season form after the captain lashed home an effort from close range on the rebound following a great initial stop from the man in the Huntingdon net.
Beech continued to impress on 20 minutes, Davon Gbajumo drove infield before finding the in-form man who attempted to pick out the top corner which was saved well from the hosts’ shot-stopper who was tested on numerous occasions in the early moments.
Posh continued to probe, but clear-cut chances were few and far for both sides as the hosts took the game to their counterparts.
CHANGUNDA fashioned another opportunity in the 44th minute, the wide-man cut in from the left and struck low to double the Posh advantage just ahead of half-time.
The game was more stretched in the second period, TRIALIST A showed his credentials as he moved the ball from back to front, before taking the ball round the on-rushing keeper and into the open net to add a third on 48 minutes.
Joe DAVIES added his name to the scoresheet five minutes later, a ball into the box set the front man up for a simple finish into the bottom corner.
BEECH doubled his tally for the afternoon on 67 minutes after he drove deep into the hosts’ half, before tucking the ball into the bottom corner with a delicate finish to secure his brace.
Posh added a quick-fire sixth a couple minutes later, George HOLLEY on the scoresheet this time with an instinctive finish to add to the hosts’ defensive frailties.
Down the other end, the hosts claimed a consolation as a defensive mix-up saw the forward make no mistake as he tucked the ball into the open net.
TRIALIST A then made it seven on 84 minutes, an almost-replica passage of play to his first as the forward rounded the keeper to complete a plausible solo-run - before he completed his hat-trick with a simple finish into the bottom corner.
The Under 18s will kick-start their 2024/25 campaign on Saturday, as they welcome Colchester United to the Idverde Training Ground.
Posh: Sakalas (sub Westcott 46min), Holley, Gbajumo, Unwin, Mendonca (sub Aikins 46min), Gilbert, Marcano-McWilliams, Fox (sub Skyut 46min), Davies, Beech, Changunda (sub Trialist A 46min) .
Half-Time: Huntingdon United 0-2 Peterborough United Under 18s
Full-Time: Huntingdon United 1-8 Peterborough United Under 18s