All three of our scholarship teams were back in action this week, here’s how they got on.
POSH A
Posh A travelled to The Nest to take on Norwich City, hoping to translate last week’s cup success into their league form. They faced a tough task, however, as Norwich were looking to create a platform for a surge towards the top of the table themselves. Norwich won the other fixture between the sides, 3-0.
The Canaries took the lead when a shot from inside the box was well saved by Charlie Jacobs, but the rebound was tapped in by the Norwich striker.
But Posh A drew level just after the half hour mark, as Byron Adiado was played in behind and had the space and time to set it to Tyler SANSOM, who rolled the ball into the open net.
And Posh A completed an excellent five minutes by taking the lead. A good combination out wide found George Frost in the box, who squared it to ADIADO for a tap in.
The second half remained scoreless for the most part as both sides battled for their desired result, but Norwich snatched an equaliser in the 89th minute as a free kick from just outside the box was curled in to a top corner.
Norwich then went on to claim all three points in the seventh minute of stoppage time when a corner was flicked on at the near post, deflected off a Posh A defender and into the net.
Posh A now turn their attention to the visit of Volenti Academy LNS next week as they await news of their next NFYL League Cup opponents.
FINAL SCORE: Norwich City 3-2 Posh A
Posh A XI: Jacobs (GK), Robalo, Hercules, Topping, Bassendine-Matthews, Zeneli (C), Dexter, Baker, Sansom, Adiado, Frost
Subs: Coccitti, Simmons, Manser, Cristica, Gautry
POSH B
Posh B travelled to London to take on Millwall in the latest game of their CEFA South East 3 title challenge.
Brad Rayner’s team went into the game in good form, sitting top of the league and having not lost since October. Millwall would provide a stern test, though, as they sit 4th in CEFA South East 3.
Posh B won the home game 4-0 in early October: Levi Baker, Enzo Coccitti, Max Olbromski and Josh Bennett were on the scoresheet that day.
The first half at Millwall remained scoreless for its duration but coach Rayner was impressed with his sides’ display against a very strong home side. But they did suffer the misfortune of losing captain Mekere Kazombiaze to a first half injury which saw him play no further part in the game.
Despite Posh B’s first half showing, Millwall took the lead fairly early in the second after capitalising on a quick, flowing counter attacking move which resulted in goalkeeper Louis Rogers being beaten for the first, and only, time in the game.
But they quickly got back onto the front foot, and it didn’t take long for them to level the scores. When Freddie Marshall hauled a long throw into the box, the ball fell kindly for Michael MARTIN to apply the finishing touch from close range.
Both sides looked to win the game in the closing stages but settled for a point in a hard-fought contest between two good teams.
FINAL SCORE: Millwall 1-1 Posh B
Posh B XI: Rogers (GK), Sabharwal, Sakavicius, Williams, Afriyie, Gadzia, McAlindon, Robinson, Kazombiaze, Olbromski, Carder
Subs: Bennett, Marshall, Martin, Papworth-Boston, Barnes
GIRLS SCHOLARSHIP
Peterborough United Foundation’s Girls Scholarship side looked to return to winning ways after their first defeat since December 2021 last week. Burton Albion were their opponents in a friendly fixture.
It didn’t take them long to get up and running as a Molly Cunningham corner was nodded home by Amber SMITH in the opening minutes.
CUNNINGHAM grabbed a goal of her own moments later, firing in a rebound after a good initial stop by the Burton goalkeeper.
And CUNNINGHAM was in on the act again to make it three by rolling an effort into the bottom corner with a left footed shot.
The Posh lead was extended further when Alicia PODD won the ball high up the pitch and smashed a 20-yard effort into the far bottom corner.
Number five quickly followed as A.SMITH notched her second of the game, this time meeting a volleyed Keira Swanson cross to score from close range.
PODD make it six from the penalty spot, before Alysha EVANS fired in a long-range effort to round off a strong first half display by Posh.
The second half much less eventful but started as the first half ended; CUNNINGHAM rounded off her hat-trick with a volley from 12-yards.
The only other goal in the half was scored by the visitors, as they scored with a volley from a corner to grab a consolation goal.
Next week sees Posh travel to Charlton Athletic for a top of the table clash in Posh’s ongoing quest for the NFYL South Premier Women 2 title.
FINAL SCORE: Posh 8-1 Burton Albion
Posh XI: Dellar (GK), Owen, Leat, Osker, Abrantes, Podd, Wilson, A.Smith, Curson, Cunningham, T.Smith
Subs: Halstead (GK), Turvey, Oliver, Evans, Gee, Swanson
