Posh Women U23s come from behind to secure three points over Sporting Khalsa Reserves.
Peterborough United Women U23s climbed to second in the table as they secured their fourth consecutive victory of the season, having come from behind to beat Sporting Khalsa Reserves 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at the idverde Training Ground.
The match started slowly as neither side could sustain possession for a long period. On 10 minutes, Rebecca Mears pounced on a poorly placed pass from goalkeeper Isobel Clarke, but her effort curled wide of the post. Five minutes later, Ella-Mai Bale sent Zina Cheikh through on goal. but her effort was directed straight at Clarke.
Sporting Khalsa went on the counterattack and found Marianne Sherwood in space on the right and her first-time effort was tipped over the crossbar by Brooke Robinson. The following corner was sent deep into the box, troubled Robinson in goal as she got her fingertips to it but it ricocheted off the far post and into the back of the net. Sporting Khalsa continued to sit back as Posh struggled to create chances, with Maddison Moore and Alicia Podd striking from distance midway through the first half.
Posh Women U23s came out strong in the second half as Mears struck from distance and her effort was parried away by Clarke, fell kindly to Cheikh but the goalkeeper recovered well to claim the ball.
On 53 minutes, Mears played a chipped pass to Bale whose shot was straight at Clarke. Bale had another chance to draw level minutes later as Podd’s cross into the box, but her header failed to test Clarke. Posh continued to search for an equaliser as Taya Smith laid the ball back to Ellie Curson, but fired her effort well over the crossbar.
On 75 minutes, Sherwood was played clear on-goal, but Robinson rushed off her line to block the ball well. Just seconds later, Posh advanced forward and equalised as Mears collected the ball on the edge of the box and curled an effort into the top left corner. Four minutes later, Posh took the lead as Lauren King kept the ball in play, crossed the ball back towards goal and Bale headed in from close-range. Posh had the chance to extend their lead late on as Curson played a diagonal ball into the box, Smith controlled well but her shot was straight at Clarke.
U23s Manager Michael Allsebrook said after the game: “We asked for a reaction from the players at the break as the first 45 minutes was sloppy and not our typical performance, we were making decisions with the ball that were not right. Their goal has come from us not turning the ball over and led to the corner. We asked them to be better and fair play to the players as they controlled that second half from start to finish. Both goals came from great team play, so we couldn’t be prouder of their reaction today. Ultimately, it’s a big three points today.
“We know Rebecca [Mears] is a talented player and she finally scored her first goal of the season, she’s put it into a great area where the keeper can’t get to it. Brooke [Robinson] got her first competitive appearance for Posh this season, she’s been out injured for the last month and came into the line-up today and got stuck in, pulling off numerous saves to keep us into the game. It’s brilliant to see that we have a big squad as we know that players can come into the squad and do a good job.”
Posh XI: Robinson, King, Sands, Osker, Curson, Podd, Moore (sub 76min, Cooper), Mears, Cheikh (sub 62min Richards-Reeves), Smith (sub 83min, Akinyemi), Bale.
Written by Lauren Shiels
Photo Credit: Darren Wiles