Flynn Clarke on target as Posh under 18s claim victory.
The Peterborough United under 18s continued their recent good run of form with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Barnet at the Mick George Training Academy in the Youth Alliance League on Saturday morning.
Matthew Etherington’s men were always in control and could have added to their tally and they go into Saturday’s trip to league leaders Northampton Town in good spirits. Ahead of that clash, the youngsters have a fixture with Dereham in a friendly fixture designed to prepare both sides for forthcoming FA Youth Cup ties.
“We made it a comfortable morning because of the way that we played. It was one of our better performances this season. We are trying to get it into the lads’ heads that they need to move the ball quickly in possession especially in the middle third and they did that to be honest and we caused them plenty of problems.
“It was a pleasing performance. The only slight negative was the goal we conceded because we need to be keeping more clean sheets than we are. We are scoring lots of goals and we could have scored a lot more. Flynn Clarke, an under 16, scored again, he looks comfortable at the level and he has done himself no harm in the selection process for forthcoming games.
“We wouldn’t put Flynn into the team if we didn’t feel that he was ready. He definitely is. He will only get better the more time he spends with the group. We have Bradley Rolt in the group too so there is competition for places from the under 16s which is what we want.
“Luke Strachan, Ollie Shackleton, Harry Brooks and Flynn were the goalscorers. They were all good finishes but Harry’s was probably the pick of the bunch. We have a tough trip to Northampton on Saturday and before that we have arranged a game at Dereham to prepare the lads for the FA Youth Cup which starts in November.
“It is important to get that preparation right. They are a good side and will provide a good test, but the exercise is to see how the lads cope with the match day in terms of travel and preparation,” Etherington said.
Posh: Blackmore, Douglas, Garner, Fosu, Burrows, Strachan, Gurney, Barker, Clarke, Shackleton, Brooks.