The Posh under 18s put in a spirited performance against Bishop Stortford in the latest pre-season friendly.
The Peterborough United under 18s put in an excellent display against Bishop’s Stortford in the latest pre-season friendly with the youngsters causing all sorts of problems for the senior side at ProKit UK stadium.
Posh created a host of glorious chances in front of goal, but were denied by an inspired goalkeeping performance with Jack Friend, Harry Anderson and Jonny Phillips all denied by the on-form shot-stopper while Liam Marshall also cracked the woodwork late on.
Dave Robertson’s men made a bright start with Harry Anderson’s effort from distance finding the side-netting after a glorious cross-field pass from James Ward had started the move. On five minutes, Posh had a glorious chance to open the scoring after good closing down from Edwards saw the ball spin into the path of Friend, but his low left-foot shot was parried by Joe Wright in the Stortford goal.
The home side found the breakthrough against the run of play on 20 minutes as Youseff BAMBA collected the ball, ran at the Posh back-line and unleashed a fierce drive into the bottom corner, leaving goalkeeper Dion Henry with no chance.
Goalkeeper Henry pushed a curler from Stortford skipper Anthony Church around the post before makeshift full-back Joe Hood cleared from off the line after a glancing header from Laville appeared to be heading for the corner.
Stortford goalkeeper Wright produced a fine stop to push a powerful shot from Jonathan Edwards around the post on 36 minutes as Posh continued to cause problems to the home side’s defence. Edwards then dragged a shot just past the near post after good work in the build-up from the hard-working Anderson.
Posh made a switch at half-time with Slovakian Henrich Ravas replacing Henry while a trialist came on to play at right-back. The lead was doubled on 54 minutes as substitute Leon Lobjoit tapped home from close-range after good work down the right.
Harry Anderson glanced a header wide of the far post following an excellent set-piece delivery from Liam Marshall. Ashley Miller fired over from close-range following a left-wing corner for the home side on the hour mark as the storm clouds began to roll in over the stadium.
Jack Friend saw a shot well blocked before Liam Marshall was denied by Wright. Robert Duggan was next to try his luck, but his long-range left-foot shot cleared the crossbar. A cross from Olly Humphrey was tipped over the bar by the Stortford keeper with the resulting set-piece causing all kinds of problems before the hosts hacked it clear.
Anderson went on a forceful run late on, but his long-range drive was deflected into the side-netting by Jonny Herd. Marshall struck the crossbar on 87 minutes after good hassling by the front men to get the ball back with Anderson’s follow-up expertly saved by Wright, diving full length to his right.
As the game moved into injury time, Posh were denied again by the goalkeeper, Friend this time wriggling into a shooting position, but his close-range effort was smothered.
Bishop Stortford: Wright, Miller, Herd, Tabiri, Kinda, Monthe, Melaugh, Church, Laville, McCall, Bamba. Subs used: Hunt, Larkins, Guy, Lobjoit, Anderson, Ashikodi, Tabil, Fagbohun, Milbourne, Jackson, Dijon.
Posh under 18s: Henry (sub Ravas 46min), Hood (sub Murdoch 50min), Luto, Ward, Maslen-Jones, Duggan, Marshall, Trialist (sub Humphrey 71min), Friend, H. Anderson, Edwards. Unused subs: Murdoch, Goode, Baldry, Phillips.