Posh U21s had to settle for a point in their Professional Development League fixture against The Sky Blues.
Peterborough United U21s were held to a 3-3 draw by Coventry City U21s at the idverde Training Ground in Professional Development League on Tuesday afternoon, with U21s boss Matthew Etherington pleased with his side's performances in some stages of the game.
Coventry City created an early opportunity inside the opening two minutes as Mackenzie Lamb’s back-pass was weak and allowed Will Bapaga through on-goal, but a combination of James Dornelly and Matt Laycock blocked his effort over the bar. However, the deadlock was broken from the following corner, as a low cross from a quickly taken corner was turned into his own net by Dornelly.
Joe Taylor was inches away from finding the equaliser on 21 minutes as his curling effort from the left area of the box hit the post before Van Lier’s effort on the rebound was saved low by Billson. Posh levelled the scores on 31 minutes and it was a lovely team goal, switching the ball from right to left before being played out to Oscar Tonge on the left-hand side and his cross was headed home by Taylor.
It was two goals in two minutes for Posh to give them the lead as Kai Corbett played the ball across to Andrew Oluwabori inside the box, who saw his initial effort saved by Billson, but was able to force it home on the second attempt. Coventry City brought the game level on the stroke of half-time as Rowe’s cross found Ricardo Dinanga free inside the box and he guided his header past Laycock.
Etherington made his first change of the afternoon following a quiet start to the second half, with Harry Thomas being replaced by Benjamin Arthur on 60 minutes. The visitors threatened on 66 minutes as Tom Costello got behind the Posh defence before lifting the ball over the diving Laycock, but could only find the side-netting.
Posh made a second change on 66 minutes as Aaron Powell replaced Tonge. Three minutes later, Posh took the lead on 69 minutes as Kai Corbett sent a low free-kick from the edge of the box into the bottom corner after Van Lier was brought down. Taylor was inches away from extending Posh advantage as Oluwabori delivered a teasing cross into the box, but was too far in front of the on-rushing Taylor.
Coventry City grabbed an equaliser on 82 minutes as Costello advanced into the box and squared the ball to an open Justin Obikwu to slot home from close range. In the final few minutes, Laycock was caught in possession outside of his box and Marco Rus tried his luck from distance at the empty goal, but the dropped just wide of the post.
Posh XI: Laycock, Dornelly, Lamb, Thomas (Arthur, 60min), Tonge (Powell, 66min), McGlinchey, Van Lier (Harris, 78min), Hickinson, Oluwabori (Gyamfi, 78min), Taylor, Corbett.
Subs Not Used: Darlington.