Posh U21s record important victory in the Premier League Cup.
A brace from Joel Randall secured an important three points for Peterborough United U21s in the Premier League Cup group stage after a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa U21s at the Weston Homes Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
An early chance fell to David Ajiboye as his fizzed cross from the right was just too high for Ricky-Jade Jones at the back-post. Randall then sent a low-driven effort just wide of the post.
Posh opened the scoring on 23 minutes as a quickly taken corner saw Randall advance into the box before sending a curling left-footed effort into the top left corner. James Wright produced an outstanding save on 28 minutes, getting fingertips on a curling effort from Jones to push the ball onto the bar.
Joe Taylor should have doubled Posh lead just before the half-hour mark as Ajiboye's cross from the right found Taylor inside the six-yard box, but the forward somehow sent his effort over the bar. However, Taylor’s blushes were spared as Randall grabbed the second of the game just seconds later as Ajiboye’s chipped ball found the midfielder at the back-post and he sent a side-footed volley into the bottom corner.
As half-time approached, Emmanuel Fernandez sent a lofted ball over the top to Ajiboye on the right-hand side, who cut inside before firing his effort into the side-netting. The visitors first real opportunity fell on 54 minutes as Freddie Guilbert’s free-kick was met by Ruben Shakpoke, but his poked effort went wide of the post.
Just two minutes later, Posh extended their advantage as Jones advanced to the byline and pulled the ball back to Will Van Lier inside the box, who calmly slotted home. Posh made their first two changes on 75 minutes as Kai Corbett and János Bodnár replaced Ajiboye and Mensah.
Kellan Hickinson then was introduced on 81 minutes, replacing Van Lier. The visitors were awarded a penalty on 84 minutes as Charlie Pavey was bundled to the floor by Hickinson and Declan Frith converted from the spot to cut the deficit.
It wasn’t looking to be Taylor’s afternoon as Corbett raced towards the byline before playing a low ball into the forward, whose effort on the half-volley went over the bar. However, with just seconds left of injury time, Taylor got the goal he richly deserved as Jones' cross was met by Corbett, he headed the ball down to Taylor and, on the turn, fired the bouncing ball into the bottom corner.
Posh XI: Blackmore, Mensah (Bodnar, 75min), Fox, Fernandez, Powell, Kyprianou, Van Lier (Hickinson, 81min), Randall (McGlinchey, 86min), Ajiboye (Corbett, 75min), Taylor, Jones.
Subs Not Used: West.