The Reserves get their 2021/22 campaign off to a perfect start after emphatic victory over Loughborough Foxes Vixens.
Peterborough United Women’s Reserves produced an emphatic victory in their opening game of East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League campaign after they secured a 4-0 win against Loughborough Foxes Vixens at the Idverde Training Ground.
Posh were threatening from the minute go as Aliyah Palmer burst free on the right-hand side before sliding the ball across to an on-rushing Paige Smith, who broke into the box, but a defender was quickly across to cut out any danger.
Although five minutes later, Posh found the breakthrough after a scramble inside the Loughborough box, which Palmer initially thought she had opened the scoring as her effort bounced off both posts, but Zoe Devonport was there to tap home the rebound.
Palmer was involved in all the action early on and had a great opportunity to extend Posh lead, as a lovely chipped pass from Lavender set the forward through on goal, but the effort was straight at the keeper, who cleared the ball at the second time of asking.
After a high intensity start from Posh, the game began to tail off in the second quarter of the half, as Loughborough Foxes Vixens could only test Cooper’s goal with shots from the edge of the box, but they were straight-forward saves for Cooper.
Posh were quickly out of the traps after the break as a teasing cross from Jess Driscoll on the right-hand side was just too high for Amy Gore, who was in acres of space inside the box. However, Wayne Hinds side doubled their advantage on 52 minutes, as Milly Ramm's cross was slightly behind Gore, but a beautiful touch from the forward looped the ball over the defender's head and into the box before she tapped the ball past the keeper.
Two minutes later, Posh had their third of the match, and it was a wonder-strike from full-back Destiny Makanjuola, who sent a 30-yard striker beyond the keeper and into the back of the net.
It then became three goals in seven minutes for Posh after a brilliant solo goal from Palmer. She broke into the box after gliding past three defenders, and while her initial effort was saved by the keeper, Palmer was there to slot in the rebound to hand Posh a 4-0 lead on 61 minutes.
A clinical performance from the reserves, four chances, four goals. But it was also an impressive display at the back, reducing Loughborough Foxes Vixens to only long-range efforts, who once again tried an ambitious effort from 40-yards out, which sailed well over Cooper’s goal.
The reserves are back in action this weekend as they face Ilkeston Town Ladies FC on their travels, hoping to build on the momentum from their emphatic opening day victory.
Posh XI: Cooper, Patrick, Wheatley, Makanjuola, Lavender, Hendrick, Devonport, Harris, Ramm, Palmer, Smith. Subs: James, Halliday, Gore, Driscoll and Richard-Reeves
Attendance: 49