Peterborough United Women made it 13 unbeaten in the FA Women’s National League with a 1-0 win over Sutton Coldfield on Sunday.
Rebbeca Mears’ second goal in a week meant that we maintained our 100% record at home, and overtook leaders Boldmere St Michaels, who were defeated 2-1 by Northampton Town.
In truth, Jake Poole’s side were made to work hard for the three points, but an eight FAWNL clean sheet for Neive Corry helped to shore up any attacks from the visitors.
Posh had a semblance of control in the early moments, and could, maybe should have had a penalty when Kira Rai was tripped inside the box.
Jess Rousseau’s effort was then comfortable for Neve Jones inside ten minutes, before Poppie Brown shot over from distance.
In what was a tetchy opening 30 minutes, defences remained on top, with Rai only really going close when her shot was cut back across goal and went marginally wide.
Hayley James delivered for Mears not long after, who lost her footing seconds before Rousseau picked up the scraps and shot at the Royals’ defence.
Eva Cassidy would be annoyed she didn’t give her side the lead within 60 seconds of the restart. A confident shot into the top corner was gripped away by Corry after the forward caught Anna Pitt on the wrong side.
But the script was soon flipped, and it was MEARS who punished the away side after good work from Rai to set up the midfielder, who put the ball into almost the exact same position that Corry saved from three minutes earlier.
Chances were at a premium, but when they did come they were mostly taken so well. This time, Evie Driscoll-King spurned a shot from distance against the woodwork, before the ball bounced back out to Rousseau who shot wide at the second attempt.
Rousseau and Rai both had chances to make it 2-0, but Jones was on top form to keep the score at one.
Posh thought they had a penalty on 79 minutes when Tara Kirk was brought down inside the box, but the referee said the challenge was a fair one. Niamh Connor then took the ball inside on the second phase, but again the woodwork played its part in making sure there was still only one goal in it.
Kirk very nearly trimmed up something special in the final few minutes, who took the ball round a couple grey shirts and found Jessica Stanford, who was lost out on the latest duel with Jones.
Kirk looked to hit the hosts for double, but the crossbar made the headlines once more. Luckily, we held out the final few minutes well to ensure another three points at home.
Posh: Corry, Connor, Driscoll-King, Pitt, James, Mears (sub Reynolds 65min), Brown (sub Lawlor 61min), Clarke (sub Stanford 61min), Rai (sub Wilshaw 76min), Rousseau (sub Kirk 76min), Perkins. Unused sub: Osker.