Britt Assombalonga netted a brace in Peterborough United’s 5-2 success at St. Neots on Tuesday evening.
Peterborough United concluded their pre-season campaign with an entertaining 5-2 success at non-league side St. Neots with Britt Assombalonga bagging a brace in the first period as Darren Ferguson’s men led 4-0 at the interval.
The deadlock was broken on four minutes and it was a debut goal for summer signing Erhun OZTUMER, who curled a left-foot free-kick into the bottom corner past the despairing dive of Nathan Abbey.
Michael Bostwick cleared the stand on 25 minutes with a presentable shooting opportunity from 20-yards after Mendez-Laing’s cross had eluded everyone in the box. Goalkeeper Alnwick made a superb point blank stop with his legs to deny former Posh youth product Jay Davies moments later.
Britt Assombalonga saw a long-range shot saved by Abbey as the action swung to the other end. On 33 minutes, Posh doubled their lead as left-back Kgosi NTLHE rolled the ball home from close-range after Assombalonga’s shot had been parried by Abbey.
On 38 minutes, Posh made it 3-0 as the front two combined to excellent effect, Washington collecting a pass down the channel from Bostwick before crossing low for ASSOMBALONGA who had the simple task of converting past Abbey.
Three minutes before the interval Posh made it 4-0 from the penalty spot as Spence felled Ntlhe, allowing ASSOMBALONGA to step up and coolly convert from 12-yards, high to the keeper’s right. Posh made 10 changes at the interval with only Mendez-Laing remaining.
Barnett was denied by a fine stop by Abbey and then Mendez-Laing’s curler found the roof of the net as Posh pressed for an early fifth goal. McEvoy was next to be denied by Abbey as the chances continued to flow.
Abbey denied Mendez-Laing on 55 minutes after the winger had beaten his man and burst into the penalty area. A minute later and St. Neots were on the scoresheet as former Posh youngster Jay DAVIES collected a pass into the box and showed good composure to poke the ball past the advancing Day.
Richens saw a long-range shot tipped over by Abbey before Barnett’s header was cleared off the line. Tom Conlon replaced Mendez-Laing on the hour mark. Joe Day made a smart stop to keep out a low Spence free-kick midway through the second period.
On 73 minutes, Posh made it 5-1 as the second half front two combined, Vassell doing well down the right before crossing to BARNETT, who took a touch and then fired low past Abbey from 12-yards. The hosts reduced the arrears as the game entered the final quarter as Drew ROBERTS fired across Day and into the bottom corner.
McEvoy saw a shot deflect inches past the post after cutting inside from the left and from the resulting corner kick, Santos was a stride away from converting at the back post from McCann’s delivery.
McEvoy fired wide of the far post after latching onto a Richens cross on 83 minutes while Richens himself saw an ambitious shot from distance deflect for a corner kick.
Posh first 45 minutes: Alnwick, Ntlhe, Bostwick, Zakuani, Baldwin, Oztumer, Payne, Anderson, Mendez-Laing, Washington, Assombalonga.
Posh second 45 minutes: Day, Luto, Brisley, Santos, Richens, Mendez-Laing (sub Conlon 60min), McCann, Ferdinand, McEvoy, Vassell, Barnett.
St Neot’s starting line-up: Abbey, Spence, Hoyte, Lee, Spring, Forde, Powell, Davies, Ferrari, Dillon, Hilliard.
Half-time: St Neots 0-4 Peterborough United
Full-time: St Neots 2-5 Peterborough United
Attendance: 786.