By Dave Robertson
Head of Youth

On Saturday 15th August, the Peterborough United youth team opened their PUMA Youth Alliance campaign with a 3-1 home victory over Luton Town. After a long, hard pre-season, the lads started the game brightly with some great forward moves, which were generated from our midfield players.

We had some excellent patterns of play in the opening exchanges and after several missed opportunities in front of goal, the lads got themselves in front and it was a stunning goal from Charlie Dove, whose 30-yard strike flew past the goalkeeper.

The game continued with a period of domination from the home side, but Luton levelled after the Posh defence was caught unawares from a slick counter-attack from the Hatters. The left-sided midfielder crossed to the back post and as it should be, the right midfielder attacked the six-yard box and scored.

Coming up to half-time, after some good work down the left hand side from Arthur Lee and Joe Newell, Posh got their noses back in front and it was from a set-piece. The corner was swung in by Matthew Breeze and was converted by youth team captain Carl Piergianni, who rose highest to power a header past the goalkeeper. Carl has a target of between 12-15 goals from set-pieces and it was pleasing to see him get off the mark in the opening game.

Posh made a bright start to the second period and just like before the interval, a corner, taken this time by Jay Davies, was headed home by Piergianni for his second goal of the afternoon. David Oldfield's men continued to press and chances were created for Nathan Korenteng, Edward Adjei, Matthew Cook, Jay Davies, but the Hatters goalkeeper made some superb saves.

It was a good start for the Posh under 18s side and one that can be built on in the future as the players continue to develop.

Posh: Cole, Cotton, Austin, Piergianni, Lee, Cook (sub Bishop), Breeze (sub Davies), Dove, Newell (sub Ralph), Adjei, Korenteng.