The Posh Under 21s started the new PDL campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth.
The Peterborough United Under 21s opened the new PDL season with an excellent 3-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth at the Weston Homes Stadium with Chris Conn-Clarke scoring a brace as he got 90 minutes under his belt.
On 11 minutes, the visitors had the first effort on target but Will Blackmore, making his first appearance of the month, made a smart stop with his legs. Two minutes later, David Kamara saw an effort kept out at the near post after good work from Cian Hayes.
On 18 minutes, Conn-Clarke saw a shot blocked, which led to a succession of Posh corners, that were well defended by the Cherries back-line. David Ajiboye had a great chance to break the deadlock just before the half hour mark as Harley Mills picked the winger out with a sumptious cross only for the former Sutton United man to head wide of the target.
The deadlock was broken on 40 minutes as CONN-CLARKE fired past goalkeeper McKenna from close-range after latching onto a fine through ball. Conn-Clarke was involved again five minutes later as he was fouled by Toure Williams inside the box, enabling KAMARA to double the lead with a well-taken spot-kick.
A brilliant run from Hayes saw him feed the ball out wide to Conn-Clarke who came close to adding a third at the start of the second half. The visitors responded with a flurry of chances of their own with Ash Clarke rattling the right-hand post with a powerful effort on 62 minutes.
Posh momentarily had a third goal as Kamara put the ball in the back of the net, however it was ruled out for offside. Posh went close numerous times with Conn-Clarke having his effort from distance fantastically tipped around the post by the Bournemouth keeper.
From the resulting corner, Mills' header once again forced McKenna in the opposition goal into action with him having to push the ball onto the post. Posh finally added a third in the latter stages with CONN-CLARKE adding his second as he fired past the keeper from the centre of the box to round off a fantastic display from the Under 21s side.
Following the game, Lead Professional Development Phase Lead Coach Ryan Semple said: " The performance in large parts of the game was excellent, we were at it with a very good tempo. The attitude of the older boys was fantastic right from the start.
"Defensively, we were solid as a back four and alongside Will Blackmore in goal, it was great to get a clean sheet. It’s a collective thing, we talked about our shape and how we press when we press high, being able to adapt, everybody out of possession did really well."
The Under 21s side travel down to Colchester on Friday night where they will look to continue to build on their winning start to the season.
Posh: Blackmore,, Dornelly, Mills, Campbell, Rose, Crichlow, Ajiboye, Young, Kamara (sub Davies 85min), Conn-Clarke, Hayes (sub Changunda, 85min).
Unused subs: Smith (GK), Sumnall, Fox.