Matthew Etherington

Posh under 21s are in action at Spalding on Friday evening (7pm)

The Peterborough United under 21s continue their preparations for the new campaign with a friendly at local non-league side Spalding United on Friday evening (7pm) with Matthew Etherington’s men looking to build on an excellent four days away in Norfolk this week alongside the under 18 group.

The Tulips, who are managed by Brett Whaley, who used to work in the Foundation at the football club many years ago, will provide a good test for the young Posh side and Etherington is hopeful his side can continue the good work shown in the 1-1 draw at Vanarama National League side Scunthorpe United.

“We were pleased with a lot of aspects of that performance at Scunthorpe and it should be a fairly similar group in action on Friday night. We have two games this week ahead of the start of our season against Queens Park Rangers and it is a great opportunity to put into practice what we have been working on this week.

“The training camp was brilliant for us as coaches and obviously for the players. They worked really hard in the first couple of days, we took the load off them as the week progressed in preparation for these games, but those trips are invaluable for team spirit and bonding.

“Hopefully we will start to see those patterns of play that we have been working on come into fruition in the games both in and out of possession. We are looking forward to the campaign getting underway, the group is a good one and they have all worked hard,” Etherington said.

The Posh boss will finalise his squad on Friday morning after chats with the first team management but goalkeeper Will Blackmore could be involved after featuring in that draw at Glanford Park. Meanwhile, Spalding could include a former team-mate of a number of the Posh youngsters with midfielder Archie Jones joining the club earlier this month.

The game will take place at the Sir Halley Stewart Field on Winfrey Avenue.