Posh Women

Posh Women suffer heavy home defeat to Sporting Khalsa in FAWNL action.

Peterborough United Women were beaten by Sporting Khalsa Women in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands campaign after a 5-0 defeat on Sunday afternoon at Abbey Lawn.

The Posh started strong with an early corner ball that found Evie Driscoll-King in the box, but her header found the hands of Khalsa’s goalkeeper, Natalie Hall. Moments later Emily Brett advanced into the box, but her early chance couldn’t find the back of the net.

On 11 minutes, the visitors were granted a corner, but their ball in was headed to safety by Niamh Connor. Captain, Rebecca Hall, followed with a chance for the opponents, but her efforts were denied by an excellent save from Neive Corry.

Minutes later, Tara Kirk advanced into the box and played the ball back to Katie Middleton, but her shot was deflected by one of Khalsa’s defenders. 

On 20 minutes, Lowri Walker proceeded with a great run into Posh’s box, but her shot was denied by Lucie Mugridge who kicked the ball out for a corner. Shortly after, a clinical pass from Kirk left Brett to run into the box, she went to strike but was taken down by the visitors.

On 26 minutes, the visitors broke the deadlock with a goal from Megan Cann. Khalsa made an early change where Isabelle Austin-Short replaced Leonie Joyce on 28 minutes. Soon after, Connor showcased her brilliant defending by keeping out Walker’s efforts, then sprinted to deny another Khalsa strike in the box.

On 35 minutes, the visitors doubled their lead after a first strike was kept out by Corry, but the rebound found the top corner of the net from Daisy Wickett.

Khalsa claimed a third goal before half-time after Austin-Short shot from inside the box. Just before the break, the visitors made a change as Ruth Graham replaced Olivia Stubbs.

Early in the second half, Driscoll-King’s long distance cross into the box just missed Kirk and instead found the hands of Hall. A few minutes later, Wickett claimed a brace and made the score 4-0 to Khalsa.

On 55 minutes, the visitors secured a fifth goal with a brace from Austin-Short. Middleton was cautioned for a late challenge soon after. 

Dan Lawlor made five changes on 60 minutes where Frankie Pim, Sophie Scargill, Renai Bennett, Sinead Fletcher and Rebecca Mear replaced Tara Kirk, Meg Lawlor, Niamh Connor, Rosie Axten and Jess Driscoll.

On 70 minutes, Khalsa searched for a sixth goal and forced Corry out of her goal, but Mugridge’s goal-line clearance denied their efforts. Brett received a yellow card shortly for a foul on an opposing player.

Soon after, a great ball fell to Pim who ran the ball into the box, but her strike found the hands of Khalsa’s keeper. Moments later, the visitors made a change where Rebecca Green replaced Josie Smith.

Another change was made on 80 minutes where Olivia Owen replaced Hannah Sparkes. Khalsa attempted another goal but Austin-Short’s long distance strike hit the crossbar. In the final stages of the game, there was a corner from the visitors, but Brett denied any shot and headed the ball to safety.

Posh: Corry, Connor (sub Scargill 60min), Driscoll-King, Mugridge, Axten (sub Fletcher) 60min), Kirk (sub Pim 60min)), Lawlor (C) (sub Bennett 60min), Driscoll (sub Mears 60min)), Brown, Middleton, Brett.

Written by Lucy Bloxham.

  • Photo Credit: Darren Wiles.