A young Posh XI fought hard to secure a 2-2 draw against Bedford Town.
A Posh XI, featuring Joe Newell and Nicky Ajose, earned a well-deserved 2-2 draw in a pre-season friendly against a physical Bedford Town, who play two tiers below the English Conference, on Saturday.In a battling game it was a piece of class from Shaquille McDonald that opened the scoring after a meandering run towards goal ended as he coolly converted a well-placed shot past the goalkeeper on 22 minutes. And McDonald could have doubled the lead three minutes before half-time only for his goal to be ruled out by a dubious offside decision.
But Bedford fought hard and found themselves level just after half-time when a brilliant Jordan Patrick shot beat Charlie Horton.
Posh continued to impress and almost re-took the lead when a thundering Tom Conlon free-kick was tipped over the bar. The win looked to be confirmed on 78 minutes when Jaanai Gordon’s long-range curling effort found its way into the top right-hand corner of the goal, but a late Bedford corner caused trouble in the box for Claude Selena to stab home in the final minute.
Talking about the physicality of the game boss Gavin Strachan said: 'This was an educational one for the young lads to show them that you can't just turn up and play pretty football.
'Some of the lads stood up to that really well which is good because the way our system is run players can find themselves in the first team very quickly. The players know that if they do what's asked of then by the manager then they'll get opportunities.'
Final Score: Posh XI 2-2 Bedford Town
Posh: Lynch (sub Horton 45min), Richens (sub Edwards 75min), Carter, Duggan (sub Conlon 59min), Burgess, Grant, Ajose, Brown, Gordon (sub Carthey 85min), McDonald (sub Wright 85min), Newell (sub Coulson 61min). Sub: Marshall.
Bedford Town: Green, Gittens, Jarrold, Lyon, Femiola, Nash, Farmer, Fry, Joseph, Phillips, Davis Subs: Yamfam, Selena, Kirby, Asanti, Patrick, Lawless, Birch, Fordah, Stephens, Charles.