Posh Women Under 23s secure victory over The Belles after an excellent away performance.
A brace from Jess Abrantes and a late goal from Rebecca Mears secured three points on the road for Peterborough United Women Under 23s as they recorded a 3-0 win against Doncaster Rovers Belles Development on Sunday afternoon at the 3G Eco-Power Stadium.
Posh Women Under 23s started the game quickly and broke the deadlock inside five minutes as Ellie Curson’s corner was met by an unmarked ABRANTES who headed into the right corner. The hosts chased an equaliser immediately as they advanced towards goal but the attackers’ effort went wide of the post. Curson’s corner caused trouble for the Belles’ once more but was somehow kept out by the defence.
In the 22nd minute, Curson’s free-kick fell kindly to Mears but the goalkeeper dived down low to divert the ball away. Posh continued to seek a second goal as Abrantes nodded the ball on for Taya Smith but she dragged her effort wide of the post. Edyn Osker drilled her free-kick out wide to Abrantes, she delivered a low cross into the box for Ella-Mai Bale but her effort was straight at the goalkeeper.
Posh started the second half lively as Bale found space on the left, crossed the ball into Abrantes who controlled before firing an effort at the goalkeeper. Minutes later the two combined again with Abrantes curling her strike inches wide of the post.
Just after the hour mark, Alicia Podd played Abrantes through on the left, she fired her shot at goal but the goalkeeper tipped the ball over the crossbar. Curson’s corner was headed towards goal by substitute Lloyd-Edwards but her effort falls inches over the woodwork.
Posh Women Under 23s finally doubled their lead in the 84th minute as Curson’s corner was headed onto the crossbar by Mears before ABRANTES tapped in from yards out. A third goal came minutes later as Curson sent MEARS through on the right and she rounded the goalkeeper before slotting into an empty net.
Michael Allsebrook spoke after the match, “It was a really good performance from the girl’s today. We started the game really well and took the lead through Jess (Abrantes) inside the first five minutes or so. As the first half went on we allowed Doncaster to get into the game more. Second half, like we have been a lot this season, we were a lot better. We know Ellie (Curson) has great ability from set-pieces and she’s had a hand in all three goals today.”
“Doncaster made it really difficult for us in spells today, particularly in the first half. They were well organised and forced us to go more direct than we normally would. We addressed that at half time and in the second half we were much better. Megan (Dellar) didn’t need to make a save all afternoon which shows how well we managed the game both in and out of possession. We use this momentum into next week. Derby is going to be a tough game. It will be down to us to take the initiative in the game and handle their strengths a lot better than last time. As always, we are up for the challenge.”
Posh: Dellar, King, Sands (sub Neto 75min), Osker, Richards-Reeves, Podd, Curson, Mears, Smith, Bale (sub Lloyd-Edwards 60min)) Abrantes.