An injury-plagued Posh Women Development Squad suffered a 4-0 defeat to Skegness at the Vertigo Stadium.
Peterborough United Women Development Squad continued their preparations for the East Midlands Womens Regional Football League campaign as a depleted squad was beaten 4-0 by Skegness in the penultimate game of pre-season on Sunday afternoon.
It was Posh who created the first opportunity of the game on 10 minutes as Hannah Murphy won a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Alice Macinol’s effort was comfortable for the keeper. Shortly after, Posh created another chance as Kacey Sharman executed some lovely footwork on the right to cross the ball into the 18-yard box, the defenders panicked but cleared the ball away at the second attempt.
On 17 minutes, Skegness were awarded a penalty after Leah Barnes illegally stopped their forward from breaking into the box as the Skegness forward stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past Katie Cooper into the bottom left corner. Posh responded to the goal well as soon after Macinol's cross found Jaz Gussin’s in the box, but she scuffed her chance allowing the keeper to retrieve the ball comfortably.
After a short drinks break, Katie Cooper was required to make a brilliant quick double save after the ball broke clear on the left-hand side. On 34 minutes, Murphy intercepted a pass from 40 yards, took a touch towards goal and curled a shot just wide of the top left corner. The remainder of the half was played out end-to-end as both teams tried to push forward at goal, however, the first half was cut short by a couple of minutes due to an injury picked up by goalkeeper Cooper.
Shortly after the break, stand-in goalkeeper Katie Rider was promptly forced into action as a shot was fired centrally at goal. Skegness continued to push and doubled their lead on 58 minutes as a cross from the right was met by an unmarked striker who guided the ball into the bottom right corner. Posh responded well after conceding once again as poor defending enabled Macinol through on goal, but only saw her effort pushed over the bar by the goalkeeper.
Skegness continued to push forward against a tiring Posh side and made it 3-0 on 70 minutes and it was a near duplication of the second goal as a cross from the right was met by the Skegness forward who slotted into the bottom left of the goal on this occasion. Five minutes later, Skegness were awarded a penalty after Leah Barnes was found shirt-pulling by the referee and the spot-kick was taken by the Skegness midfielder who calmly slotted in the bottom right corner.
Posh XI: Cooper, Wheatley, Johnson, Barnes, Macinol, Murphy, Demi, Richard-Reeves, King, Sharman, Gussin.
Subs Used: Oliver, Rider.
By Lauren Shiels.