Posh U18s secure victory over The Clarets on Saturday.
Peterborough United U18s made it back-to-back victories in the Under-18 Professional Development League after a 2-1 victory over Burnley U18s at Barnfield Training Centre on Saturday morning.
Jake West was forced into a good one-handed save on 12 minutes to deny Tom Tweedy before The Clarets forward saw his lofted effort go over after a great ball down the line by Joe Ashton.
Posh broke the deadlock on 21 minutes as Harley Mill’s corner caused chaos inside the opposition box and defender James Dornelly was there to force the ball home. However, the hosts brought the scores level just before the half-hour mark as Tweedy fed the ball through to Trevor Bryan and he calmly slotted the ball under the keeper.
Andre Changunda tried his luck from distance, but was easily held by The Clarets' keeper, before Bryan saw an effort blast over the bar. After the break, Mills’ saw his free-kick fly over the bar, while West got down low to hold onto Gromek’s powerful effort.
Jamal Campbell-Ryce’s men retook the lead on 63 minutes as Mills’ corner was missed completely by the Clarets keeper and eventually found the back of the net via a Clarets defender at the back-post. Bryan sent another low powerful shot towards goal, but, once again, West was able to get down low to collect the ball.
Posh were awarded a spot-kick in injury time after Bayley McCann was brought down by the Clarets’ goalkeeper. McCann took the resulting penalty, but saw his effort saved by the keeper, who got down low to right.
U18s boss Campbell-Ryce said: “We were outstanding and everything we have been doing throughout the course of the season, the players have brought into. We had to suffer a little bit when we lost games, but everyone has bought into the principles and the players that have come in, including the U16s, have been really good.
“Andre [Changunda] has been excellent, Tom Unwin and Luke Gilbert have been involved, so it’s really good that we’re able to bring those younger players in for next season as well. We all want to win games of football, but we need to remember this is about developing players to try and get them a career in the game and they’re giving themselves plenty of opportunities to go and win games by playing the right way and doing what I ask.
“Our out-of-possession has been outstanding. My only critique is that we can be a bit cleaner in the final third and we have to nail that, but we will keep working and the focus is now on Thursday. However, on the whole, I'm very happy with the performance against a tough side.”
Posh XI: West, Dornelly, Mills, Titchmarsh, Arthur, Toynton, Challinor, Rose, Marshall, Kelmendi, Changunda.
Subs: Marcon, McCann, Gilbert, Winters, Ntege.