Peterborough United Women clocked up another 90 minutes as their pre-season programme continued with a 2-1 win over Tier 3 Derby County.
Jess Rousseau and Niamh Reynolds were both on the mark in the win over the Ewes, with the former scoring her opening goal in Posh colours.
Our opponents – who play their football in the league above – battled hard and pulled one back late on, but Posh stood strong and held out to secure the second victory of pre-season.
Emily Sharpe stepped into the dugout in the absence of the unavailable Jake Poole and made a few tweaks to the side that recently lost at Oxford United, bringing in Sophie Harris, who replaced the injured Niamh Corry between the sticks, while Rebecca Mears also came into midfield.
Posh were good value for the victory, and that was in part to a strong start as they stepped onto their opponents when Courtney Clarke fired over from distance twice within a matter of minutes.
Rousseau then had an opportunity when the ball landed freely to the attacker who, after a scramble inside the penalty area, got her strike away, with the Ewes’ keeper tipping the ball behind for a corner kick.
Hayley James then tried her luck, before the Ewes broke down the other end, looking to pull momentum back in their favour, but Harris got down low to deny our opponents a lead.
ROUSSEAU scored her first goal for the club in fine style, burying the ball into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area with her left-foot.
Rousseau bore down on goal minutes later, being brought down in the process, before REYNOLDS stepped up from 12 yards to double the lead.
Derby looked to build back into the game, as the Ewes’ attacker struck over from close range to bring the opening 45 minutes to a close.
Sam Griffiths’ side fended well after the break, rushing through on goal, but Edyn Osker stepped in to deny the Ewes from testing Harris.
Posh looked to reinstall the pressure, with a fine move involving Hines and James leading to a chance for Stanford, but she fired over.
Anna Pitt then denied the Ewes’ drive moments later, before Bennett attacked at the other end. This time, the midfielder rose above her marker to meet an out-swinging delivery – only to be denied on the line.
James broke forward on 73 minutes, looking to put the game out of reach, in the end using options to her side, instead of shooting, but the hosts cleared away any danger.
Derby pulled one back with seven minutes to play, but didn't trouble Harris any further and Posh secured a notable away success.
Half-time: Derby County 0-2 Peterborough United
Full-time: Derby County 1-2 Peterborough United
Posh: Harris, Pitt, Osker, Driscoll-King, James, Mears (sub Bennett 46min), Reynolds (sub Stanford 46min), Perkins (sub Wilshaw 88min), Clarke (sub Curson 61min), Rousseau. Willshaw (sub Hines 46min)