Women Puma Football

Posh Women Development Squad Beaten By The Poppies.

Peterborough United Women Development Squad suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Kettering Town Women on Sunday afternoon in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League, with a stunning 35-yard volley separating the two sides.

Kettering Town created the first opportunity inside five minutes as their forward’s effort from outside the box ricocheted off the crossbar. Posh carved out their first chance on 20 minutes as Hannah Murphy sent a looping cross for Kacey Sharman to pounce onto, but her effort rebounded off the goalkeeper and was cleared. 

Posh grew into the game and had their second effort on goal on 39 minutes as Edyn Osker collected the ball on the edge of the area following a poor clearance, but her tame effort was safely held by the goalkeeper. On the stroke of half time, centre-backs Leah Barnes and Hannah Johnson were caught out of position, allowing Kettering to advance forward free on goal, her initial shot was parried away by Danni Cooper-King but fell straight to Kettering once again, who fired their effort wide of the open goal.

Posh started the second half lively and on 47 minutes Osker’s corner caused havoc in the Kettering Town box as Alice Macnicol and Hannah Johnson saw their efforts blocked and clear from safety. Three minutes later, Murphy caused problems once more as she forced her way into the box, only for her effort to be saved by the goalkeeper.

On 53 minutes, Kettering Town’s corner was initially cleared, but fell to the taker on the edge of the box and her low effort at goal went wide of the post. The deadlock was finally broken on 65 minutes as the Kettering Town midfielder was set up nicely and sent a phenomenal 35-yard volley over Danni Cooper-King and into the back of the net. Posh responded well and tried to create chances, and almost equalised on 85 minutes as Osker sent Aliyah Palmer through on goal, but her touch was poor and was easily collected by the goalkeeper.

Manager Shaun Harley said after the game, “It’s taken a wonder goal to win the game today. We battled out there today with a very small team, three players pulling out last night due to illness isn’t ideal obviously. We’ve come to Kettering Town with a very young side and put on a real performance. Hats off to the players as it was a fantastic strike!”

Posh XI: Cooper-King, Wheatley, Johnson, Harley, Barnes, King, Murphy, Osker, Moore, Sharman, Macnicol.

Subs: Palmer, Gussin.