Tyrone Barnett scores four as Posh record 6-0 pre-season friendly victory at St. Neots.
Tyrone Barnett scored four goals as Peterborough United eased to a comfortable 6-0 pre-season friendly victory over St. Neots FC on a balmy summers evening.
Barnett was a constant threat in the second half and could have added a fifth late on as Darren Ferguson's men put in an excellent performance in sweltering conditions.
Posh created numerous chances in front of goal during the first period, but a combination of good goalkeeping and poor finishing kept the scores level until midfielder Lee FRECKLINGTON broke the deadlock with an excellent curling effort from the edge of the penalty area.
That strike came less than 10 minutes after the hosts squandered a glorious opportunity to get their noses in front as Stefan Moore fired over from the penalty spot after Nathaniel Knight-Percival had been adjudged to have committed a foul.
Frecklington was twice denied by the goalkeeper before the break while Paul Taylor and the impressive Dan Lawlor also went close. Lawlor and goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik were the only two players to complete a full 90 minutes and the young midfielder was excellent throughout.
In the second period, Posh began to get on top and doubled the advantage when Tyrone BARNETT superbly headed home Danny Swanson's right-wing centre.
It was 3-0 to Posh soon after and this was the pick of the goals, Lawlor found Boyd with a clever pass and the winger stood up an inch-perfect cross for BARNETT to head home past a flat-footed goalkeeper.
Swanson, who looked lively in his 45-minute cameo, struck the underside of the crossbar with a rasping drive from the edge of the box, while Daniel Kearns delivered some wicked crosses into the box as Posh dominated.
It was full-back Michael RICHENS who made it 4-0, tricking his way into the box and arrowing a powerful right-footed drive into the bottom corner.
BARNETT completed his hat-trick with a simple finish, sliding in at the back post to convert Swanson's low cross. The former Crawley striker completed the scoring with a first time finish after excellent approach play from Boyd.
The only downside to the evening was an injury sustained by Tommy Rowe, which will be assessed in the next few days.
Posh 1st half: Olejnik, Little, Zakuani, Knight-Percival, Nthle, Lawlor, Frecklington, McCann, Newell, Tomlin, Taylor.
Posh 2nd half: Olejnik, Richens, Brisley, Grant, Rowe (sub Sage), Kearns, Lawlor, Bostwick, Boyd, Swanson, Barnett.