Jamie Day and Russell Martin completed 90 minutes for a Peterborough United XI at Rushden and Diamonds on Wednesday evening, but the home side ran out 2-0 winners at a rain-soaked Nene Park following a fairly uneventful pre-season friendly.
It was a fairly quiet start to the friendly at Nene Park between Rushden and Diamonds and Peterborough United with only a wild Ben Wright effort, which went high over the crossbar, the incident of note in the first 15 minutes.
Rushden came close to breaking the deadlock on 23 minutes as Craig Farrell's fierce free-kick was spilled by James McKeown, but the goalkeeper did well to smother Nicky McNamara's follow-up effort as the ball ran loose.
Neil Cousins squandered the clearest opportunity of the game on 25 minutes after he managed to get the wrong side of Kieran Charnock, but his low shot went wide of James McKeown's right-hand post.
A cross-shot from full-back Robinson landed on the roof of the net after Torres was beaten to the ball on the left-hand side of the Posh defence. Dale Roberts made a superb save to deny Danny Mills his first Posh goal on 39 minutes after a deep free-kick from captain Russell Martin.
Youngster Sam Gaughran was well-placed to clear a goal-bound effort from Neil Cousins moments later as chances were finally created in front of goal by both sides. Daniel Blanchett replaced Romone McCrae at half-time at Nene Park with the rain still falling steadily at the beginning of the second period.
McKeown did well to smother from Farrell just after the hour mark after Akurang's shot rebounded into his strike partner's path rather fortuitously. The home side opened the scoring on 64 minutes as Farrell threaded the ball into the path of winger REID who took a touch before drilling the ball past McKeown and into the back of the net.
Jamie Day curled a free-kick wide of the target at the other end before Diamonds midfielder Rob Wolleaston tried to win a penalty, but his theatrical dive didn't convince the referee Mr Whitestone to award a spot-kick.
Adam Crossley, a member of the Posh under 18s squad, replaced the ineffective Wright in attack for the final 20 minutes of action. Martin made an excellent last-ditch tackle to prevent Wolleaston from doubling the Diamonds advantage on 76 minutes after an excellent pass from Akurang.
McKeown made a comfortable stop to deny a curling effort from Reid as Justin Edinburgh's men threatened a second goal. Former Crawley Town front man Mills was inches away from levelling the scores as the friendly entered the final 10 minutes, but he couldn't keep his volley down after an excellent centre from Martin, who had made good ground down the right hand side.
Day was denied at his near post by Roberts before Sam Gaughran was denied by the legs of the goalkeeper and then youngster Crossley had a chance to score his first senior goal, but his volley went wide of the far post.
However, the game was made safe for the home side after an error from McKeown, who raced from his line only to miscue his clearance, allowing FARRELL to have the fairly simple task of slotting the ball into the empty net.
Martin was denied late on by Roberts before the referee brought an end to proceedings on a disappointing night for Posh.
Posh: McKeown, Martin, Day, Gaughran, Charnock, Green, McCrae (sub Blanchett 46min), Crook, Torres, Mills, Wright (sub Crossley 72min). Subs: Cole, Austin, Korenteng, Davies, Dove, Adjei.
Rushden: Roberts, Osano (Corcoran 80min), Robinson, Stuart, Downer, Wolleaston, Farrell, Reid, Cousins (sub Pattison 80min), McNamara (sub Byrne 67min), Akurang. Subs: Day, Porter, O'Connor, Smith.
Referee: D. Whitestone.
Att 626
