Oliveria

The Posh Women Development Squad were forced to settle for a point in their final away game of 2022 at Loughborough Vixens.

Posh Women Development Squad were held to a 0-0 draw by Loughborough Vixens at Holywell Sports Complex in the East Midlands Regional Football League Division One South, in what was a positive performance but just could not break the deadlock to secure the three points.

Posh made a solid start to the game and carved out their first chance of the game inside the opening minute as Edyn Osker found Aliyah Palmer who advanced forward but her effort hit the side-netting. Posh continued to threaten the Loughborough defence and Osker had a shot of her own from distance, but it was easily claimed by the goalkeeper. On 33 minutes, Nicole Hendrick sent a diagonal ball into the box, which was latched onto by Lauren King, however, her effort glanced wide of the post.

Loughborough Vixens began the second half lively and thought they had scored from a corner but Leah Barnes cleared off the line to keep the score-line level. Minutes later, Posh had a corner of their own as Osker somehow knocked Hendrick’s corner towards goal but unfortunately, it went straight to the goalkeeper. Hendrick was involved once again on 55 minutes as she fired a shot from 30 yards, the keeper just managing to jump and collect the ball.

On the hour mark, Danni Cooper-King raced out from goal to collect the ball just ahead of the incoming Loughborough striker. Posh continued to patiently build-up play, but could not manage to break the deadlock and were forced to settle for a point.

Assistant Manager Ian McIntosh said after the game, “It was a great performance from the players today. We gave the girls a little bit of freedom to control the game and play the football we know they are capable of. We gave them the opportunity to play out from the back and just express themselves and we could see that today with how the defence and midfield linked up. They’ve shown everyone today where they can play and how good they can play. We were just unlucky that today, we couldn’t get the chances to score a deciding goal. But overall, we’re happy with how we played. It’s definitely a confidence boost for the girls, especially as they worked hard and got the clean sheet.” 

Posh XI: Cooper-King, Richards-Reeves, Wheatley, Johnson, King, Barnes, Podd, Osker, Hendrick, Palmer, Oliveira.

Sub Used: Rider, Goodwin, Macnicol.