Posh Under 18s move into quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup after convincing away win.
Peterborough United U18 produced an outstanding performance on the road as they swept aside Stoke City with a dominant 5–0 victory. Facing opponents from a higher division, the result underlined the team’s focus, maturity and impressive tactical discipline.
The Posh started brightly, applying aggressive pressure and disrupting Stoke’s build-up play from the opening minutes. Their early intensity paid off on five minutes when SHOFOWOKE reacted quickest to a loose ball from a corner, finishing calmly to open the scoring. The lead was doubled on 13 minutes, with Shofowoke showing excellent composure in the box before drilling a low cross for SYKUT to convert with precision.
The visitors continued to dictate the tempo, and their efforts were rewarded again in the 28th minute. SHOFOWOKE’s relentless pressing forced a turnover inside the penalty area, drawing a foul before confidently dispatching the resulting spot-kick to send the Posh into the break with a deserved 3–0 lead.
The second half saw no drop in concentration. Just three minutes after the restart, another well-delivered corner found SYKUT, who reacted sharply to fire home his second of the afternoon. Stoke appeared certain to pull one back shortly afterwards, rounding the goalkeeper, but Mendonca produced a superb goal-line clearance to preserve the clean sheet and maintain the Posh’s momentum.
FOX added the Posh’s fifth in the 71st minute, finishing confidently inside the box to put the contest well out of Stoke’s reach. The substitutes who entered the game managed the closing stages with real composure, ensuring the side maintained full control and secured a thoroughly deserved clean sheet as the Posh completed a dominant 5–0 victory.
Lead Under 18s Coach Jimmy Unwin said: “To perform at this level against a side from a higher division says a lot about the players’ focus and attitude. Our high energy and intensity in the first half, combined with the early goals, allowed us to take control of the match. The substitutes also showed excellent concentration and professionalism to see the game out. We’ll aim to carry this momentum into the next round.”
Posh: Westcott, Bushell (sub Ndonjang 71 min), Joseph, Christoudias (sub Norville 83 min), Mendonca, Arber (sub Aikins 71 min), McWilliams-Marcano, Fox, Shofowoke, Sykut, Crozier. Unused Subs: Bucknor, Sango.