Posh Under 18s string of form grinded to a halt on Saturday afternoon as Sheffield United claimed the points on our trip to the Steel City.
United were indebted to a standout performance by Lamine Sidibe who grabbed his hat-trick either side of Riley McLachlan’s effort to put the Posh youngsters out of sight in South Yorkshire.
The hosts took an early lead when Siem Eyob-Abraha stood up a ball to the onrushing SIDIBE at the back post, sending a header beyond Ben Westcott.
Andre Changunda looked for a reply when his strike from distance tested Tommy Betts, but the Blades’ keeper was equal to the ball.
SIDIBE netted his second on 40 minutes when the wide man bended his run and met Sam Colechin’s well-timed delivery.
The hosts looked intent on adding to their tally from the restart, with Archie Christie-Crainie’s effort shovelled away by the outstretched Westcott.
Aaron Reid then picked up the ball from 20-yards and took aim for the top corner, but his curling effort landed wide.
McLachlan looked to add to the act on 57 minutes when his strike came inches away from a United third.
SHOFOWOKE pulled one back after the front man plucked a ball from deep out from the sky, bearing down on goal and finding the bottom corner in trademark fashion.
Posh barely had time to take stock of the situation before finding themselves two-goals behind once more, this time MCLACHLAN was on hand to tap home past Westcott.
At the other end, Betts clawed out Tom Unwin’s strike from distance before the home side upped the ante which saw Davon Gbajumo dismissed on 81 minutes.
SIDIBE completed the scoring, and his hat-trick late on from the spot to keep up the pressure on leaders Burnley.
Posh: Westcott, Gbajumo, Claxton, Mendonca, Freeman, Unwin (sub Christoudias 79min), Holley, Changunda, McWilliams-Marcano (sub Davies 46min), Sykut (sub Aikins 79min), Shofowoke. Unused sub: Bucknall, Arber.
Half-Time: Sheffield United Under 18s 2-0 Posh Under 18s
Full-Time: Sheffield United Under 18s 4-1 Posh Under 18s