Posh Women Under 23s recorded a 1-0 win over Histon FC Ladies.
Peterborough United Women Under 23s began their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win over Eastern Region Women’s Football League Division One North side Histon FC Ladies in a game contested over three 30-minute periods on Sunday afternoon at the idverde Training Ground.
It was The Stutes’ that carved out the first chance of the match with an early chance inside the opening five minutes safely collected by Megan Dellar. Posh promptly reacted with Katie Gee firing wide of the target shortly after.
On the quarter hour mark, Gee struck again with a curling effort but the Histon goalkeeper parried the ball away. Posh ended the first period strongly with Ellie Curson’s corner directed towards goal by Tilly Sands but her header was somehow kept out by Histon.
Alice Akinyemi advanced forward in the second period but dragged her effort wide of the post. Posh made the breakthrough in the 47th minute, as Gee’s cross found Akinyemi at the far post who headed into goal via the right post. Just before the hour mark, Rebecca Mears looked to extend the lead as she dribbled into the box but curled her effort wide of the post.
Posh continued to create chances in the final third of the match with Mears and Sands testing from distance. Curson’s corner was headed inches wide by Poppy Clapson before Taya Smith’s effort was blocked from yards out after being found in space by Mears. Histon advanced on the counter attack with minutes to spare but Faith Iyawa made a block to deny the opposition a late equaliser.
Manager Michael Allsebrook spoke after the game: “It was a positive performance from the girls today. We took our time to get into the game given there’s players that have not played for a while and new players coming in and learning our system. But I felt we dominated the last 60 minutes. A good test to start with in pre-season. We didn’t do too well against teams that sat off against us and let us play. Today in the first period we fell into the trap but after the break they were more patient in waiting for room on the pitch and that space came in the other two periods.
“It’s not about the results, it’s mostly about putting in a good performance and getting minutes into legs. We’ve done all that and come out with a win which is pleasing. The girls have only had one training session so far. I’m really excited with the players we have – the new players did well today and have potential to go far whilst we have several away on holiday and some that played in the First Team today too.”
Peterborough United Women Under 23s: Dellar, Curson, Richards-Reeves, Riley, Sands, Iyawa, Gee, Mears, O’Connor, Oliver, Smith Subs Used: Trialist, Moore, Clapson, Akinyemi