Posh came from behind to record a mightily impressive 3-1 victory at last season’s play-off finalists Barnsley.
Peterborough United made it three wins from three in Sky Bet League One action after an impressive 3-1 victory at Oakwell against last season’s play-off finalists Barnsley as Darren Ferguson’s men came from behind to chalk up an excellent success on the road.
It was Posh who made the brighter start on a lovely evening in Yorkshire, Ephron Mason-Clark testing goalkeeper Liam Roberts with a first time effort before the Barnsley custodian kept out the follow-up moments later from Jonson Clarke-Harris.
The Tykes had their first chance of the game on seven minutes as Romoney Crichlow saw his clearance charged down, but Max Watters dragged his first-time shot well wide of the target. Nicholas Bilokapic produced a fine stop to keep out a sweetly-timed volley from Jon Russell on 12 minutes.
Mason-Clark was picked out by Poku on the quarter-hour mark at the back post, but unlike the opening day he couldn’t squeeze his header past goalkeeper Roberts. At the other end, Bilokapic produced three fine stops, first to keep out a cross-shot from Russell, then to somehow palm away a fierce drive from Cadden before arguably the best of the lot to keep out a Watters header from close-range.
On 31 minutes, Posh carved out another opportunity, a deep cross from Mason-Clark was met by Poku at the back stick, but he couldn’t plant his header on target under pressure from Williams. On 39 minutes, Posh had a glorious chance to break the deadlock as Kyprianou squeezed a pass through to Randall but he was superbly repelled by Roberts.
Lopata produced a fine block to prevent Poku getting a shot on target as an entertaining first half entered the final five minutes. Kyprianou was cautioned for a foul on 44 minutes, his third caution of the campaign.
Defender Peter Kioso fired wide from long-range three minutes after the re-start but moments later, Barnsley were in front as a swerving effort from Barry COTTER appeared to take a slight deflection, which made its way past Bilokapic.
Roberts produced another excellent stop to keep out Randall on 57 minutes after intelligent link-up from Clarke-Harris and Mason-Clark. Four minutes later, it was another chance for Posh, Randall’s delivery was just too far for Clarke-Harris on the stretch, but Poku looked like he had a better opportunity, but he could only stab it into the keepers’ hands.
Roberts was at it again on 62 minutes as he somehow kept out a Clarke-Harris header after an in-swinging centre from Poku down the left. Clarke-Harris sent a left-footed effort over the top on 66 minutes before the Tykes made a double change with Andy Dallas and Oli Shaw introduced by Neill Collins.
On 75 minutes, Posh got a deserved leveller as Collins picked out Kioso rampaging down the right, he showed great composure to pull the ball back for KYPRIANOU and he swept the ball into the bottom corner across the keeper.
Moments later, Posh got themselves ahead, Collins again with a progressive pass to Poku, he looked like he was trying to find the bottom corner with his right-foot but it turned into a fine pass for CLARKE-HARRIS who simply walked the ball into the back of the net.
Bilokapic produced another superb strong left-hand to keep out a Cadden piledriver from an acute angle on 79 minutes as this bonkers game twisted and turned.
On 85 minutes, Posh added a third goal as Randall picked out substitute Jones down the left, his low centre was a bit behind Clarke-Harris, but POKU anticipated it ahead of the defender, nipped in and fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
Kane fired over as the fourth official indicated a minimum of seven minutes added time.
Barnsley: Roberts, Williams, Russall (sub Phillips 78min), Lopata, Kitching, Cadden, Kane, Cotter, Styles (sub De Gevigney 87min), Watters (sub Dallas 67min), Cole (sub Shaw 67min). Unused subs: Killip, Lofthouse, Chapman.
Posh: Bilokapic, Burrows, Edwards, Crichlow, Kioso, Kyprianou, Collins (sub De Havilland 90min), Randall (sub Ajiboye 90min), Poku (sub Knight 87min), Mason-Clark (sub Jones 80min), Clarke-Harris. Unused subs: Talley, Tomlinson, Tshimanga.
Half-time: Barnsley 0-0 Peterborough United
Full-time: Barnsley 1-3 Peterborough United
Attendance: 11,789 (531 Posh fans)
Referee: Anthony Backhouse