Peterborough United Under 18s were beaten 2-0 by Crewe Alexandra in their penultimate league showing on Saturday afternoon.
In truth, it was a match that lacked goalmouth action at either end of the field, but it was the away side who produced the crucial moments of quality, running out 2-0 winners at the idverde Training Ground.
Jimmy Unwin’s side came into the game with Wednesday’s cup final to look forward to, but for now, all focus remained on our league fixtures and it only took nine minutes to create the first opening.
McWilliams-Marcano – who led the line this time round – was involved early on, fizzing a ball across the face of goal which, to no avail, landed wide.
Franic Leather almost found the breakthrough in the 20th minute, timing his challenge to perfection on the defensive line, before picking out Franc Vaughan-Evans in the final third, forcing Ben Westcott into a sharp stop.
Crewe continued to press and came closest three minutes later when Owen Taylor snaffled up a loose ball, but Westcott was equal to the midfielder’s effort.
An opportunity then fell for Ethan Ruberts, who took aim from 25-yards, with the strike taking a nick from his team-mate – mind you, Westcott looked to have had it covered after initial uncertainty.
Alex were knocking on the door, and in the 29th minute, LEATHER rose above his marker to head the visitors in front.
Crewe continued to use the wide options as an avenue to attack, winning a succession of corners, with Taylor the latest to blaze over.
Nathaniel Joseph broke into space almost immediately after the restart, dirtying Mikolaj Lenarcik’s gloves, who saw very little action in the first 45.
Patrick Mlynarski then beat our defensive line, but, on the stretch, he was unable to turn the ball past Westcott, before fluffing his line from a similar angle with ten minutes left on the clock.
Jordan Hodkin was next to take aim, as the ball was cutback to the substitute – who was denied minutes earlier – but Luke Gilbert was in a position to stop the strike from nestling the bottom corner.
Then, HODKIN put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time, looping his effort over George Bucknor – who was introduced for Westcott between the sticks.
With seconds remaining, Noah Pinder looked to add a third, striking the woodwork from close range.
Posh: Westcott (sub Bucknor 75min), Bushell (sub Norville 51min), Joseph, Crozier, Arber, Gilbert, Dagne, Christoudias (sub Fraser 75min), McWilliams-Marcano, Beech (sub Sango 82min), Simmons. Unused sub: Lawrence.
Half-time: Posh Under 18s 0-1 Crewe Alexandra Under 18s
Full-time: Posh Under 18s 0-2 Crewe Alexandra Under 18s