Posh Women Under 23s secure emphatic victory in League Cup.
Four goals in each half secured Peterborough United Women Under 23s a place in the FA Women’s National League Reserves Cup as they secured an 8-0 victory over MK Dons Development on Sunday afternoon at a sunny idverde Training Ground, with Taya Smith bagging a brace for Michael Allsebrook’s side.
It was the visitors’ who carved the first chance of the game as a free-kick from the Dons’ was safely held by Megan Dellar. The deadlock was broken in the 11th minute as Ellie Curson’s in-swinging corner was met by SMITH who directed her header into the back of the net.
Posh doubled their lead 10 minutes later as they regained possession deep in the Dons’ half before Maddie MOORE finished the move off with her effort well-placed into the corner. The match soon opened up as chances were created at both ends; Faith Iyawa and Melissa Riley combining to prevent the Dons’ from reducing the deficit before Smith broke on a counter attack only to see her effort bounce back off of her and wide.
Before the half hour mark, Posh searched for a third goal as Abrantes headed agonisingly wide of the post following Curson’s free-kick. Curson managed to add an assist shortly after as she sent a ball over the Don’s defence for SMITH to chase and she struck low under the goalkeeper and into the net. Posh added a fourth on the stroke of half time as Phoebe RICHARDS-REEVES saw her effort find the back of the net from an acute angle via the inside of the post.
The visitors’ started the second half strongly as Dellar was forced into action as she tipped the forwards’ powerful shot around the post. Posh added a fifth before the hour mark as CURSON struck from long-range into the top right corner. Substitute Tilly SANDS scored the sixth for Posh as she headed in a corner from Curson for her first goal of the season.
Smith looked to grab a hat-trick as she met the ball inside the penalty box, but her shot was blocked by the defence. MEARS was on target late on as her long-range shot found the bottom left corner. Georgie OLIVER was fouled deep in stoppage time to earn Posh a penalty, and she stepped up and fired into the bottom left corner to finish the scoring for the afternoon.
Under 23s coach, John Currall, spoke after the game: “First and foremost we are very pleased to get through to the quarter-finals. The performance from the girls both in and out of possession was exceptional against a very good side. Every played did their job today from the first to last whistle. When we play like we did today and show the quality we have, the attitude and application, then we know we are capable of producing these kind of results.
“Alice (Akinyemi) and Taya (Smith) worked really well together today up front; they created lots of opportunities as did the midfield. The defence did their job as well as Megan (Dellar). The teamwork was great today. We’ve shown that we can play, it’s now about showing consistency and keeping these performances up.”
Posh: Dellar (sub G.Smith 72min), Richards-Reeves, Podd (sub Sands 52min), Iyawa, Abrantes, Riley, Moore (sub Oliver 56min), Curson, Mears, Akinyemi (sub Cooper 76min), T.Smith.
Half-Time: Peterborough United Women Under 23s 4-0 MK Dons Development
Full-Time: Peterborough United Women Under 23s 8-0 MK Dons Development