Posh Women leave it late to claim a spot in the final of the Northants County Cup.
Peterborough United Women overcame a resilient Posh Women Under 23s side to secure a place in the Northants County Cup final as two late goals from Megan Lawlor and Tara Kirk saw them run out 2-0 winners in front of a crowd of just over 500 at Toojays Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was a strong start for the Under 23s as Ella-Mai Bale advanced forward, dribbled round the defender but saw her effort well claimed by Neive Corry. Katie Middleton sent a dangerous cross into a crowded box but the ball was eventually cleared by Jess Abrantes. In the 21st minute, Rebecca Mears saw a curling effort saved by Corry. Keir Perkins sent an inviting cross towards Frankie Pim but Tillie Sands cleared the ball before she could connect. Lucie Mugridge advanced from centre-back and played Pim through on goal but her effort struck the side-netting.
Mears headed the ball down the Abrantes inside the box but her volley was tipped over the crossbar by Corry. In the 38th minute, Bale met the ball on the by-line, cut inside and delivered a cross into the box which almost snuck in at the far post. On the stroke of half time, Pim advanced into the box but saw her shot well saved by Dellar.
The second half was just as busy as the first with Middleton curling a low strike towards goal which was calmly collected by Dellar. On the hour mark, Perkins was found at the far post but failed to connect with the ball. Tara Kirk headed over Lawlor’s free-kick minutes later.
The Posh Women were awarded a penalty as Edyn Osker was judged to have brought down Perkins inside the box. Lawlor stepped up from 18 yards but blazed her shot over the crossbar. The Under 23s grew in confidence with Abrantes firing a volley at the back post inches wide of the target. Emily Brett advanced into the box but dragged her shot wide of the target.
In the 89th minute, a breakthrough was finally found, as a well worked corner routine saw the ball worked short to LAWLOR and her effort found the back of the net via the inside of the post. The Posh Women continued to push forward in injury time and doubled their lead as KIRK'S close range effort was tipped onto the post by Dellar, but unfortunately for the keeper it spun over the line.
Posh Under 23: Dellar, King, Sands, Osker, Richards-Reeves, Podd, Curson, Mears, Abrantes, Smith, Bale.
Subs Used: Neto, Lloyd-Edwards, Moore.
Unused Subs: Robinson.
Posh: Corry, Connor, Fletcher, Mugridge, Perkins, Kirk, Driscoll, Brown, Middleton, Bennett, Pim.
Subs Used: Driscoll-King, Lawlor, Brett, Lacite.
Half Time: Posh Women Under 23s 0-0 Posh Women
Full Time: Posh Women Under 23s 0-2 Posh Women
Attendance: 520
By Lauren Shiels
- Photo credit: Darren Wiles