Sheffield United were indebted to Jevan Beattie’s hat-trick, as the league front-runners extended the gap at the top of the table with a victory over our Under 21s.
Our Under 21s knew the task at hand would be their toughest of the season, pitted against a side who have just wrapped up the league title, but, buoyed by our recent results on the pitch, our youngsters adopted an aggressive approach from the outset, looking to rock United early doors.
But, as they have done this season, United manoeuvred their way around the midfield line, drawing a foul from Ma’Kel Campbell, who was booked inside the opening minutes.
The home side continued to press, and in the 11th minute, BEATTIE was felled inside the penalty area, executing the resulting spot kick.
Beattie looked to add to the scoring three minutes later, striking the woodwork from a touchline delivery. The one-way traffic continued, though, and Harry BOYES doubled the hosts’ lead on 20 minutes, swivelling his way around defensive bodies before sending his strike beyond Bastian Smith.
Posh looked to hit back, winning the ball deep inside United’s half, before opening up an angle for our trialist to take aim, who fired wide.
Our youngsters were rocked on our heels again, as BEATTIE netted his second with a simple headed finish past Smith.
Then, Patryk Sykut looked to pull one back, seeing multiple efforts denied by the Blades’ rearguard. First, he took aim from 45-yards, but United’s gloveman scrambled back to tip his effort onto the woodwork, before his second attempt whistled wide moments after.
Posh injected fresh momentum at the break, as Eddie Fox and Benji McWilliams-Marcano entered the fray-causing immediate problems for the United backline.
George Holley racked up another assist in the 56th minute, standing up a deal ball to our TRIALIST, who directed his header past United’s number one.
There was no letting up from the home side, though, who notched two unanswered goals. Jamal BAPTISTE headed home a flighted centre, before BEATTIE dispatched from the spot to complete his hat-trick.
Posh: Smith, Holley, Fitzpatrick, Trialist A, Sumnall (sub Gilbert 61min), Claxton, Trialist B, Campbell, Davies (sub McWilliams-Marcano 46min), Sykut (sub Fox 46min), Changunda (sub Beech 68min). Unused Subs: Westcott.
Half-time: Sheffield United Under 21s 3-0 Posh Under 21s
Full-time: Sheffield United 5-1 Posh Under 21s