Jake Poole’s side earnt three points in their first home game of 2025 at Abbey Lawn on Sunday afternoon in horrid conditions against Barnsley Women, with Niamh Reynolds and Katie Middleton netting either side of half time.
Posh were dominant from the start as a cross from Keir Perkins deflected into the side netting in the opening 60 seconds. Barnsley looked to have opened the scoring inside 10 minutes but the linesman flagged for offside.
Perkins delivered an inviting ball into the box towards Middleton but the defender cleared the ball away. Posh broke the deadlock on 12 minutes as REYNOLDS was found unmarked on the left before driving the ball into the bottom corner past Serena Clarke.
The Reds’ looked to equalise immediately as the forward broke forward but Meg Lawlor and Niamh Connor combined to thwart the visitors’ attack.
On 35 minutes Hayley James advanced on the right, her cross looked set to meet Tara Kirk in the box but the defender headed away from danger.
Demi Barai and Jodie Snelson looked to find a reply for the visitors, with the latter forcing Connor to make a last ditch tackle. On the stroke of half time, Middleton sent a low cross to Perkins at the far post but her effort was somehow kept out by Clarke.
Posh started the second half brightly and continued to create opportunities. Chances came from consecutive corners as Bennett dribbled her way into the box before laying the ball back to Kirk whose shot was deflected wide; before the subsequent corner fell kindly to Kirk again but she failed to direct her effort under the crossbar.
Posh doubled their lead just before the hour mark as the ball fell to MIDDLETON on the left, she beat her defender before firing into the bottom right corner.
Jake Poole made a double substitution shortly after with Ella Bale and Edyn Osker entering the field in place of Evie Driscoll-King and Kirk. Bale made an immediate impact, putting the ball into the back of the net minutes after her introduction but the referee ruled out for offside.
On 63 minutes, a shot from Kayleigh Hines fell invitingly to Reynolds but Clarke tipped the ball around the post to prevent the midfielder from netting her second of the game.
Deep into the second half, substitute Meli advanced into the box before squaring the ball to Bennett, but she curled her shot wide of the post.
With minutes to spare, Barnsley reduced the deficit as a messy corner was eventually turned over the line, however Posh continued to hold on to earn the three points.
Posh: Corry, Driscoll-King (sub Osker 59min), Connor (sub Sharpe 67min), James, Lawlor, Hines, Bennett, Reynolds, Perkins (sub Meli 67min), Kirk (sub Bale 59min), Middleton.
Half-Time: Peterborough United Women 1-0 Barnsley Women
Full-Time: Peterborough United Women 2-1 Barnsley Women
Attendance: 124
- Photo Credit: Darren Wiles