Posh U18s win the U18s Professional Development League Cup at the Weston Homes Stadium.
Peterborough United U18s were crowned U18 Professional Development League Cup champions on Tuesday evening after a 3-1 victory over Birmingham City U18s at the Weston Homes Stadium, capping off a fantastic campaign for Jamal Campbell-Ryce’s men.
Posh controlled the tempo in the early stages of the game and carved out the first opportunity on five minutes as Reuben Marshall’s low cross was met by Tyler Winters, but his effort was comfortable for Brad Mayo. However, Posh made their dominance count and broke the deadlock on seven minutes as Marshall found Winters once again inside the box, who got ahead of his defender before firing home via the inside of the post.
The visitors responded well after falling behind and created their first chance on 23 minutes as Bryon Pendleton’s low cross found Yusuf Ahemd and his effort fell straight into the hands of Jake West. Marshall was close to doubling Posh’s lead as the forward cut inside on the edge of the box and sent a curling effort just wide of the far-post.
The Blues had the best of the opportunities in the closing stages of the game as Josh Home had an effort from the edge of the box take a big deflection before falling into the hands of West. Pendleton then saw his shot on the half-volley straight down the throat of West.
Posh came out in the second half rejuvenated and doubled their lead on 49 minutes as The Blues’ defence made a mess of the Mills’ free-kick into the box and James Dornelly was there to head home the looping ball. Cameron Eubank saw his effort from the edge of the box take a slight deflection and go narrowly wide of the post.
The visitors’ searched for a way back into the game as Josh Home’s free-kick found Ben Beresford at the back-post, but he could only direct it wide. Pendleton then struck an effort very well from distance, but it went narrowly over the bar.
The victory was sealed on 81 minutes after some brilliant hold-up play from Winters, he then played it out wide to Torin Ntege who advanced into the box and cut inside before firing his effort past Mayo. The Blues pulled a goal back on 86 minutes as O’Shea Ellis’ free-kick took a deflection and bounced past West into the back of the net.
Posh were crowned U18 Professional Development League winners at the full-time whistle, concluding an excellent campaign for the squad after finishing third in the league and also winning the David Joyce Cup last month, and there was plenty of celebration on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Jamal Campbell-Ryce's side will now enter into the Premier League Cup next season and could face a number of Category One sides, including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
Posh XI: West, Dornelly, Arthur, Rose (Toynton, 78mins), Mills, Challinor, Marcon (Unwin, 83min), Titchmarsh, Kelmendi (Bodnar, 62min), Winters (Changunda, 83min), Marshall (Ntege, 62min).