Five Star Posh March On
Peterborough United produced a classy display to beat Tranmere Rovers 5-0 at Prenton Park to match the club's best ever start to a season and make it 14 goals in just three away displays this term.
Tyrone Barnett fired wide in the early exchanges as Tranmere struggled to deal with the first corner kick of the afternoon as Posh made a bright start to proceedings at Prenton Park.
Chris Atkinson was cautioned on five minutes for a very late tackle on McCann in the centre circle. A mistake from Fon Williams allowed Lee Tomlin a sight of goal moments later, but it was a long way out and the former Rushden and Diamonds man sent his volley well wide.
Tomlin toe-poked an effort wide of the target from the edge of the area after being found by Kearns as Darren Ferguson's men pressed. The deadlock was broken on 13 minutes and what a goal it was too. Tomlin closed down a clearance and in the wide area, pulled the ball back seemingly for Assombalonga, he dummied it and ROWE steered the ball past goalkeeper Fon Williams.
A mistake from Olejnik allowed Ryan Lowe to nip in for a good opportunity, but he sent his curler from 20-yards over the crossbar.
Akpro then saw a shot blocked before a low shot was directed straight at Olejnik. It was 2-0 to Posh on 32 minutes and it owed a lot to the persistence of Michael Bostwick who burst into the opposition half, rode two challenges and fed BARNETT who made no mistake, firing home with his left-foot past Fon Williams.
On 37 minutes, Posh made it 3-0 and were given a numerical advantage as Barnett was brought down in the box after taking a superb touch from a raking McCann pass. Jones was the man who felled the striker and he was given a straight red card on his home debut. MCCANN stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick.
On the stroke of half-time, Tomlin dragged a shot wide of the target from the edge of the area before referee Mr Simpson brought an end to a very satisfactory first period for Darren Ferguson's men.
Tranmere made a change at the interval with Ian Goodison replacing Stephen Foster. Taylor headed a Robinson corner kick wide of the target on 50 minutes.
Tomlin fired wide from 25-yards after cutting inside from the left moments later as Posh went in search of a fourth goal. It was 4-0 on the hour mark as a McCann free-kick from the left was not dealt with and the ball fell invitingly for ASSOMBALONGA who made no mistake from close-range.
Assombalonga saw a left-foot shot go straight at Fon Williams after excellent approach play from Tomlin. Ntlhe saw an over-head kick saved while Assombalonga was superbly denied by the fist of Fon Williams.
Mark Little replaced Ntlhe on 65 minutes as Posh made their first switch with Alcock reverting to left-back. On 66 minutes, Posh made it 5-0 as substitute LITTLE raced into the box and fired a fine low drive past Fon Williams.
McCann saw an excellent left-footed free-kick go a whisker wide of the post on 84 minutes after Assombalonga was felled by Goodison. The Northern Irishman then saw another free-kick saved by Fon Williams.
Final Score: Tranmere Rovers 0-5 Posh
Tranmere: Fon Williams, Horwood, Taylor, Foster (sub Goodison 46min), Lowe (sub Stockton 65min), Robinson, Baggie (sub Koumas 39min), Atkinson, Power, Jones, Akpro. Unused subs: Rowe, Kirby, Mooney.
Posh: Olejnik, Alcock, Ntlhe (sub Little 65min), Zakuani, Bostwick, McCann, Rowe, Kearns (sub Swanson 68min), Barnett, Tomlin (sub Mendez-Laing 72min), Assombalonga. Unused subs: Day, Knight-Percival, Payne, Gordon.