Posh Women Under 23s suffer loss at Stoke City Women Development.
Peterborough United Women Under 23s lost 4-1 against Stoke City Women Development on Sunday afternoon at Clayton Wood Training Ground, with Georgie Oliver netting a consolation goal in the FA Women’s National League Reserves Midlands Division fixture.
After withholding early pressure from the hosts, it was the Posh who carved the first chance of the game as Kendal O’Connor pounced onto a poor defensive pass but her effort struck the post before eventually being cleared from danger.
The Potters’ took the lead just before the quarter hour mark as the forward advanced on the left before firing a low cross at goal which was tapped in at the far post by Megan GALEANDRO. Posh had chances to equalise in the first half as Oliver’s shot from the edge of the box was caught by the goalkeeper, before O’Connor’s effort also forced the hosts into action.
The hosts doubled their lead immediately after the restart as they advanced clear on the right before cutting in and laying the ball off to Olivia PHILBIN who calmly slotted into the bottom left corner. The Posh reduced the deficit minutes later as OLIVER pounced on a poor pass inside the Potters’ half before firing into the top left corner for her fourth goal of the season.
GALEANDRO grabbed her second of the game as she advanced on the right before finishing off from a tight angle. Megan Dellar was forced into action shortly after as the Potters’ broke free in numbers but the striker’s effort was blocked well by the Posh shot-stopper. The hosts added a fourth late on as an initial shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Dellar but Kaya ANDERSON was first to react who tapped into the net from yards out.
Michael Allsebrook spoke after the game: “Whilst we can never fault the work rate of the players, we were nowhere near our best. Stoke wanted the result more than we did and it showed through how aggressive they were, particularly in the first half. We were slightly better in the second half but we looked lethargic today and that’s something that we need to look at and unpick. It’s not been an easy day with travel issues and that could have played a part, but we have a no excuses mentality and we need to do more across the pitch from 1-11 and as a staff to start picking up results.
“It’s been a really tough run of games to start the season. Stoke were well organised today and were hungry in their press out of possession. They deserved the win but we stood up to the challenge and never gave up. However, at this level we need to do more to affect the opposition and to get ahead in the game. We will keep everyone positive and continue to work relentlessly hard to keep improving. We know that the quality is there in the squad and I am sure that soon we will start being rewarded for our hard work. Alicia (Podd) did a really good job again at centre half and Megan (Dellar) made some really important saves. Ellie (Curson) and Georgie (Oliver) tried to make things happen but we just weren’t good enough collectively today but we need to park it and keep looking forwards.”
Posh XI: Dellar, Cooper, Podd, Sands (sub 39min, Iyawa), Richards-Reeves, Curson, Riley, Oliver, Akinyemi, O’Connor (sub 78min, Clapson), Smith.
Half-time: Stoke City Women Development 1-0 Peterborough United Women Under 23s
Full-time: Stoke City Women Development 4-1 Peterborough United Women Under 23s
- Photo Credit: Keira Thurston