Bolu Shofowoke netted twice for Peterborough United Under 18s in the loss to Fleetwood Town on Saturday afternoon.
Fleetwood may have had a bit of struggle of late in the league, but they were clinical in front of goal and punished another incredibly young Posh Under 18 side.
In truth, the Reds were good value for three points having camped inside our area for stretches of the afternoon – but, it should be said that the scoreline is hard on our young side made up of Under 16s.
Both teams employed a similar 4-2-3-1 formation, but our youngsters failed to take control in the early moments – and were punished ruthlessly.
Fleetwood set their stall out early, and in turn, ANIMASUAN found the net on six minutes, meeting a ball flashed across the face of goal.
Then in the 17th minute, O’BOYLE made it two with a simple finish past Ben Westcott, before ANIMASUAN added a third – and his second - three minutes later.
Max Beech looked to reduce the deficit, finding an extra yard to roam forward, but his goal-bound effort was flicked away by Adam Slater, before the ball fell to George Holley – who put too much on his strike from 25-yards.
But the visitors were in no mood to sit back and protect their lead, surging forward once more; this time, Jake DOHERTY arrived on the left, hanging a leg at the ball to extend their advantage.
Our youngsters then tried to make up ground, using the wide options as an outset to attack, who worked an angle for Shofowoke to take aim – being denied twice in quick succession.
The action didn’t let up after the break, as Luke Gilbert’s unfortunate back pass escaped Westcott to add a fifth.
Oliver Bellzia dirtied his gloves on the hour mark, meeting Olly Arber’s header equally – who looked to follow suit after Animasuan had struck the woodwork from a similar position minutes beforehand.
In cruise control, the visitors were caught napping at the back as Beech curled one towards goal, forcing Bellzia to save low to his left, with SHOFOWOKE arriving on the follow-up.
Then, in the space of four minutes, Fleetwood notched up three more goals, with Lucas TAYLOR netting twice.
Refusing to roll over, SHOFOWOKE pulled one back for his side, rounding Bellzia, before ARBER added his name to the scoresheet, meeting Holley’s delivery with five minutes left on the clock.
Posh: Westcott (sub Bucknor 89min), Crozier, Joseph, Holley, Arber, Gilbert (sub Fraser 80min), McWilliams-Marcano (sub Dagne 80min), Christoudias, Shofowoke, Beech, Fitzpatrick (sub Mlityalwa 63min).