Two strikes from forward Taya Smith against Cardea Sports Ladies secured back-to-back pre-season victories for the Peterborough United Women Under 23s as they ran out 2-0 winners with a dominant display on Sunday afternoon in blistering conditions at Stanground Academy.
It was the hosts that carved the first chance of the game as Trialist A was forced into action in the opening five minutes as the forward drilled an effort on target. Michael Allsebrook’s side immediately replied with Katie Gee delivering a low cross across the hosts’ backline before Maddison Moore struck from distance, but neither called the goalkeeper into action.
Posh deservedly took the lead in the 17th minute as Gee advanced forward on the left before finding SMITH at the back post, who headed in. The Under 23s continued on the front foot with Gee looking to get on the scoresheet herself but her effort was fired straight at the goalkeeper.
Cardea looked to equalise just before the first 30-minute period was over but Phoebe Richards-Reeves blocked the shot.
In the 50th minute, Posh looked to double their lead but Melissa Riley’s driving effort ricocheted off the crossbar. Smith was in search of her second of the game as she curled an effort towards the bottom right corner but the goalkeeper dived down well to collect the ball.
Just after the final period was underway, Posh extended their lead as SMITH bagged herself a brace as she latched onto the end of some fine attacking play from Richards-Reeves on the left to slot the ball into the bottom right corner.
Posh continued to control the game with Tilly Sands firing a header from Ellie Curson’s corner inches over the crossbar before substitute Lauren King curling effort forced the goalkeeper into action late on.
Posh Women Under 23s Manager, Michael Allsebrook, spoke following the win: “The aim was to get a performance today, to try and get more fluidity with our style of play in possession. We got a good result; it was probably the closest we have been to where we want to be in terms of performance levels. Cardea gave us a good showing but as the game went on, I felt we dominated the ball and deserved the win.
“Taya’s (Smith) used to scoring goals in the academy. The two she scored today are poacher’s goals’ it’s about reading the game and knowing where you should be on the pitch. Katie (Gee) and Phoebe (Richards-Reeves) did well to find her in the box. She’s in for a good year – she’s done well in pre-season after an injury hit campaign last year.
“It’s not been as smooth a pre-season like last year. We’ve got a training camp next weekend where we’ve got the chance to improve our fitness levels and work on our togetherness before ending pre-season against a tough Ipswich side.”
Posh: Trialist A, Richards-Reeves, Iyawa, Sands, Cooper, Riley, Curson, Moore, Clapson, Smith, Gee. Used Subs: Trialist B, King.
Half-Time: Cardea Sports Ladies 0-1 Peterborough United Under 23 Women
Full-Time: Cardea Sports Ladies 0-2 Peterborough United Under 23 Women