Posh Women secure victory on final day of season despite playing for a long period with just 10 players.
Four goals from Emily Brett and a late goal from Tara Kirk secured a 5-2 victory for Peterborough United Women over Leek Town Women on Thursday evening at Quorn FC in their final fixture of the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands, as they finish the campaign in third place in the table with their record points tally of 47 points.
The first chance of the game fell to Posh in the opening minutes as a high ball from Ella Hilliard found Keir Perkins, who advanced forward but fired her effort over the crossbar. Debutant Jess Abrantes delivered an inviting ball into the box, Perkins latched on and played the ball back to Jess Driscoll but her effort was well collected by Bethany Cottrell.
Posh continued to put the pressure on Leek as good build-up play from Megan Lawlor found Perkins but she could only curl her effort over the bar. Emily Brett flashed an effort wide of the post after advancing through on the left wing while a cross from Abrantes caused further havoc in Leek’s box but Driscoll’s shot was deflected wide.
Just before the half hour mark, Posh were reduced to 10 players as Poppie Brown received a red card for foul play. Katie Maya advanced forward on goal but Neive Corry dived down well to prevent Leek from taking the lead. Minutes later, Posh opened the scoring as BRETT received the ball on the edge of the box and lobbed Cottrell to break the deadlock.
Posh started the second half strongly as Kirk saw a shot saved following a good cross from Brett. Katie Maya fired a shot over the crossbar following good build-up play from Leek on the left. Corry was forced into action moments later as Maya drove an effort low on target.
Chantelle GALLAGHER equalised for Leek Town directly from a corner as her set-piece dropped in at the far post. Two good saves from Corry followed before Posh took the lead on the hour mark as BRETT netted her second of the game as she drove an effort across goal into the bottom right corner. A low corner from Lawlor found Jess Driscoll on the edge of the penalty spot but her effort glided over the woodwork.
In the 80th minute, Posh extended their lead as BRETT completed her hat-trick after firing her shot into the top left corner. Corry was forced into action as she parried Manuela Dele’s powerful shot to safety. BRETT added a fourth for Posh as she latched onto a poor defensive clearance and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner. Posh searched for a fifth as Kirk curled an effort into Cottrill’s hands.
Leek Town’s Rebecca Arnold was shown a red card late on for foul play. Posh added a fifth deep into stoppage time as substitute Frankie Pim collected the ball on the by-line before finding KIRK in the box, who turned her defender and slotted into the bottom corner via the post. Leek added a consolation goal moments later as Katie MAYA curled an effort from the edge of the box into the corner.
Posh: Connor, Hilliard, Osker, Abrantes, Lawlor, Driscoll (sub Pim 77min), Bennett (sub Mears 69min), Brown, Kirk, Perkins, Brett.
Half Time: Peterborough United Women 1-0 Leek Town Women
Full-Time: Peterborough United Women 5-2 Leek Town Women
Attendance: 126
Referee: Julia Kings