Posh Women come from behind to beat Leek Town Ladies.
Peterborough United Women record a third consecutive victory in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands as they came from behind to win 3-1 at The F. Ball Community Stadium courtesy of second-half strikes from Sophie Scargill and Katie Middleton.
Posh recorded the first effort at goal inside six minutes as Sophie Scargill advanced forward and played through Keir Perkins. She cut the ball back to Scargill, but her shot was easily collected by Bethany Cottrel. The hosts were awarded a penalty on 13 minutes as Neive Corry was adjudged to have fouled Manuela Dele inside the box. Dele took the penalty and converted low into the bottom corner.
However, less than 60 seconds later, Posh equalised as Jess Evans tapped in at the far post following Ellie York’s cross into the box. Evans had the chance to give Posh the lead on 23 minutes as Katie Middleton dribbled inside the box and teed up Evans, but her first-time shot was easily saved by Cottrel.
Rosie Axten fired a long-range shot inches over the crossbar on 26 minutes before Evie Driscoll-King dragged her shot wide of the post following good build-up play from the Posh. Evans headed wide after Driscoll-King cut inside and crossed into the box.
Posh were on the press on 41 minutes and allowed Evans the chance to hit from outside the box but her effort was well saved by Cottrel. Minutes later, Katie Maya fired a low shot straight into Corry’s hands. On the stroke of half time, Perkins played Driscoll-King through on the left, but her shot rattled the inside post before ricocheting off Cottrel and was eventually cleared.
A quick start to the second half saw Dele fire a shot from outside the box well over the crossbar. A minute later, Miszkiel was found with space on the left, she cut in but her shot curled inches wide of the far post.
Perkins curled an effort wide of the post on 50 minutes after being teed up by Axten. Middleton’s corner caused havoc on 56 minutes as she found Driscoll-King who volleyed from the edge of the box and struck the crossbar.
Posh took the lead on 71 minutes as Driscoll-King sent Sophie Scargill through and she lobbed the keeper from just inside the box. Posh continued to trouble the Leek defence with Perkins skimming the crossbar on 76 minutes.
Posh deservedly increased their lead with 10 minutes to go as Poppie Brown advanced into the box, played the ball back to Middleton and she calmly slotted into the bottom corner. Middleton had the chance to make it four in injury-time after her first touch set her through on-goal, but her shot was parried away by Cottrel.
Posh XI: Corry, York, Connor, Driscoll-King, Mugridge, Axten (sub 70min, Kirk), Scargill (sub 80min, Bennett), Evans (sub 70min, Lawlor), Perkins (sub 80min, O’Neill), Driscoll (sub 77min, Brown), Middleton.
Leek Town XI: Cottrel, Ebsworth, Arnold, Brierly, Shepley, Weston, O’Connor (sub 79 min, Edwards), Maya, Gindra, Miszkiel, Dele
Unused Subs: Rushton, Grimshaw, Turvey.
Written by Lauren Shiels.
Photo credit: @rubyredphoto