Posh v Burton Albion

Two goals in each half earned Posh a 4-0 win over Burton Albion at the Weston Homes Stadium.

It is nine goals in the last two home games for Peterborough United after Darren Ferguson’s men followed up the local derby success over Cambridge United with a 4-0 victory over Burton Albion in front of 8,500 supporters at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Cole Stockton sent a shot well wide of the target inside the opening 60 seconds as this Sky Bet League One fixture got underway in bright winter sunshine. Hector Kyprianou saw a shot deflect wide of the near post at the other end after a good piece of individual wing play by Ephron Mason-Clark.

The deadlock was broken on five minutes, Kwame Poku with quick feet to beat his man, he picked out Peter Kioso and his low cross reached Joel RANDALL at the back post and he found the bottom corner with a first-time left-footed finish.

Mark Helm was cautioned for a foul on Kioso on eight minutes by referee Mr Duckworth. Posh carved out a glorious chance to double the lead on 14 minutes as Poku picked out Mason-Clark at the back post with a delicious cross, but he couldn’t keep his header on target.

Posh had appeals for a spot-kick turned down on 18 minutes as Poku took a tumble in the area, but the referee waved away the protests. Mason-Clark drilled a cross-shot across the box on 21 minutes, but there were no takers in the six-yard box.

Poku had another opportunity on 26 minutes after excellent work from Kioso, but this time he drilled his shot wide of the near post after dragging the ball onto his right-foot. Darren Ferguson’s men were playing some delightful football in tight areas, another excellent piece of skill provided a chance for Poku, but his shot was parried by Crocombe.

Poku saw a shot blocked by Sweeney after another slick piece of football from the hosts with only the score-line the frustration as the game entered the final 10 minutes of the first half. Deji Osjilaja was shown a yellow card for a foul on Knight on 36 minutes.

Posh doubled the lead on 42 minutes, Collins collecting the ball in midfield, advancing and playing an inch-perfect pass to MASON-CLARK who made no mistake with his left-foot. Knight was in the right place at the right time to head clear from a Stockton effort after Bilokapic’ punch fell at the former Morecambe striker.

Jones was cautioned for a foul on 52 minutes and Stockton followed him in the book moments later for a foul on Knight. Jones fired wide after a quick break from Posh on 59 minutes as Baah protested he had been felled at the other end.

On 61 minutes, Posh made it 3-0 as a Poku driven cross was turned past his own keeper at the near post by Stockton. Randall was immediately somehow denied by the legs of Crocombe before the visitors scrambled the ball clear.

Knight tested Crocombe with a fierce drive on 64 minutes before it was 4-0 as a superb cross from Burrows was chested home at the back post by POKU. Ferguson made a change just before the final 20 minutes with Jadel Katongo and David Ajiboye introduced for Edwards and Mason-Clark.

Bilokapic did well to fist a powerful shot from substitute Baah over the top aftrer the former Rochdale man showed good skill to burst into the penalty area. Burrows saw a piledriver pushed over the bar by Crocombe on 74 minutes as Posh pushed or a fifth.

Randall was next to try his luck but his low effort was routine this time for the keeper. Crocombe did well to claw an audacious effort from Randall away from goal before Knight saw his header rebound back off the post.

Gordon sliced wide after good work from Baah tight to the touch-line during six minutes of injury time. The Brewers did hit the post through Mason Bennett late on but Posh claimed a clean sheet and all three points.

Posh: Bilokapic, Edwards (sub Katongo 69min), Knight, Burrows, Kioso, Kyprianou (sub De Havilland 78min), Collins, Poku (sub Clarke-Harris 78min), Randall, Jones (sub Wakeling 78min), Mason-Clark (sub Ajiboye 69min). Unused subs: Talley, Sturge.

Burton: Crocombe, Seddon, Oshiaja, Sweeney, Harper, Stockton (sub Gordon 67min), Lubala (sub Walker 46min), Helm (sub Carayol 83min), Caprice, Gilligan (sub Baah 46min), Tamen. Unused subs: Blackman, Kamwa.

Half-time: Peterborough United 2-0 Burton Albion
Full-time: Peterborough United 4-0 Burton Albion
Attendance: 8,500 (143 Burton Albion fans)
Referee: Ed Duckworth