Peterborough United Women opened their pre-season programme with a 6-1 victory away at Gainsborough Women.
Emily Meli had a hand in both goals before the break, with Renai Bennett, Lauren Wilshaw and Trialist D all adding to the afternoon tally after the restart, before Trialist C closed out the show in Lincolnshire.
Both teams competed well in the opening minutes, with the first opportunity falling for Niamh Reynolds, who checked back towards goal, but missed the target.
Jake Poole’s side continued to create chances as a move created by Meli was turned into the goalkeeper's arms. Wilshaw was next to show promise, but her strike lacked the necessary purchase to find the breakthrough.
Posh continued to move forward, this time Wilshaw was found in an advanced position, but the Gainsborough ‘keeper was quick to meet the ball before she could load up a strike.
Taya SMITH opened her account and opened the scoring, heading home into an empty net after Meli’s strike was pushed back out to the forward – but the lead lasted only a matter of minutes as our hosts levelled the score with a rare foray forward.
Meli continued to cause her marker problems late into the half, setting up REYNOLDS who poked home at the back post.
Gainsborough responded with an opportunity of their own, testing Neive Corry, who was up to the mark to deny a strike from close range.
Posh started the second half strongly, with the Gainsborough ‘keeper equal to Trialist C’s strike before Jessica Stanford met the resulting ball in, coming inches away from a third with a controlled volley.
BENNETT added to the score-sheet on 52 minutes, with the ball landing freely to the midfielder who picked out the top corner, with WILSHAW extending the lead three minutes later, adding the telling touch after Meli had swung in a ball from a wide position.
The pressure continued to build as TRIALIST D was released forward, finishing well to add a fourth for Poole’s side, The scoring was complete by TRIALIST C who found the bottom corner with a composed finish from close-range.
Half-time: Gainsborough Women 1-2 Posh Women
Full-time: Gainsborough Women 1-6 Posh Women