Posh under 18s recorded their first win of 2024 as they eased to a comfortable home win over Fleetwood Town.
The Peterborough United U18s returned to winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Fleetwood Town in Professional Development League action, with Jimmy Unwin’s men securing a comfortable success at the idverde Training Ground.
After a quiet opening 10 minutes for both sides, Tyler WINTERS converted the first goal for the Posh to give them the early lead. McWilliams-Marcano provided the assist with some incredible build up play, dribbling his way past two players before seeing his cross-shot land at the feet of Winters.
Just 20 minutes later, Posh extended their lead thanks to Joshua MARCON who went on his own and struck the ball perfectly into the bottom corner to extend Posh’s lead.
Just before the whistle was blown for half-time, Unwin’s men made things even more comfortable with a third through Demis KELMENDI. It was a defensive error from Fleetwood at the back that allowed Kelmendi to stride through and find the bottom corner.
Shortly after the game restarted for the second half, Jake West was quickly called into action, denying The Cods a goal back with a stunning one on one save with the Fleetwood striker.
KELMENDI got his second of the game in the 65th minute after some intricate footwork inside the 18-yard box before slotting the ball into the back of the net. With things looking game, set and match, Fleetwood did manage to eventually respond with a goal back late into the second half.
U18s Lead Coach Jimmy Unwin said: “I am really pleased with the performance, I thought the boys put in a good shift. The intensity was there for the whole 94 minutes we played, and the boys should be really proud of themselves that they got a good result from a positive performance.”
When asked about the most important takeaway from the victory, Unwin added: “Winning brings confidence, but also the intensity that the boys showed today was really impressive. I was really happy with the way the boys pressed, and we’ve been working on pressing from the front, and we nicked a goal from doing that, and that’s exactly what we worked on. So, for me as a coach, that is perfect and the boys instigated it perfectly.”
Posh’s Ollie Rose also spoke after the game on how the team goes on to finish the season positively and continuing to pick up wins. “We just need to keep training well like we did this week, keep going, keep the morale high and keep working hard like we do and results will come.”
Posh: West, Greenacre (sub Gilbert 75min), Rose, Holley, Claxton, Toynton, McWilliams-Marcano (sub Beech 85min), Fox, Winters, Marcon, Kelmendi. Unused subs: Sakalas, Freeman, Unwin.
By Ella Smetana