All three of our scholarship sides were in action this week, here’s how they got on.
POSH A
Posh A made the short trip to Stevenage to take on their A Team in a friendly fixture. Posh A were looking to play themselves into form as they face a return to league action at home against Chippenham Town next week.
Stevenage took the lead after winning possession in midfield and launched a quick counter attack which culminated into a good finish into the top left corner.
Posh A drew themselves level when George FROST received the ball on the edge of the box, turned to beat several defenders and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
And they hit the front when Caleb TOPPING won the ball high and played a one-two with Frost, before finding the bottom left corner with his finish.
Stevenage drew level amidst a goalmouth scramble, which fell kindly for their forward to slot home.
Posh A secured the victory with a nice passage of play which eventually found Tyler SANSOM out on the left, who used Isaac Bassendine-Matthews as a decoy to beat his player and curl an effort into the back of the net.
Bruno Porfirio and Liam Morley’s side will now play two of the top four in the league in the next two weeks. After Chippenham visit the idverde Training Ground, Posh A travel to JMA Reading to face the league leaders.
FINAL SCORE: Stevenage A 2-3 Posh A
Posh A XI: Jacobs (GK), Dexter, Hercules, Gautry, Bassendine-Matthews, Greenacre, Zeneli (C), Baker, Frost, Manser, Adiado
Subs: Robalo, Topping, Simmons, Sansom, Cristica
POSH B
Posh B’s latest game in their CEFA South East 3 title charge saw them travel to ninth placed Stevenage C. They went into the game knowing three points were vital in their ongoing title challenge, with Portsmouth travelling to Millwall for what was certain to be a fiercely contested game.
Brad Rayner & Aaron Rawlings’ side started well and took the lead when an inch perfect Josh Bennett pass found Mekere Kazombiaze and he drove to the byline before cutting it back for Oskar GADZIA to finish well into the far corner.
After more good play around the Stevenage box, the ball fell to Thomas PAPWORTH-BOSTON on the edge of the area, and he shifted the ball out of his feet and beat the Stevenage goalkeeper with a low driven effort.
They were in full control when Enzo Coccitti did well to keep a misguided cross in play, before holding off several challenges, before sliding the ball across for Nigel COLEMAN to tap home.
Posh B took a four-goal lead into the interval when Gadzia picked out PAPWORTH-BOSTON on the edge of the box and he applied another smart finish.
The second half performance was a professional one from Posh B as they continued to dominate the game.
They did add to their goal tally in the second half, when Kazombiaze’s corner was met by the head of Matas SAKAVICIUS, and he powered his head into the top corner to complete the scoring.
It was an important result for Posh B, who sit top of CEFA South East 3 with five games to play. Up next is a trip to Charlton D, before back-to-back clashes with Luton Town either side of the Easter break.
FINAL SCORE: Stevenage C 0-5 Posh B
Posh B XI: Rice (GK), Sabharwal, Sakavicius, Bennett, Gadzia, Robinson, McAlindon, Kazombiaze (C), Papworth-Boston, Coleman, Coccitti
Subs: Marshall, Martin, Afriyie, Barnes, Williams
GIRLS SCHOLARSHIP
Peterborough United Foundation’s Girls Scholarship Team welcomed Plymouth Argyle to Yaxley FC for their latest NFYL South Premier Women 2 fixture.
Posh went into the game at the top of the table, looking to add another three points to their title challenge. Like Posh B, the Girls Scholarship Team are also battling Portsmouth for the title; with the two sides set to meet next week.
It was a strong start for Posh, who quickly gained control of the game – dominating possession and creating plenty of chances.
They took the lead when Katie Gee pulled the ball back for Keira SWANSON, who curled a left footed effort into the far top corner.
The second goal took a while to come but it wasn’t for the want of trying – with Ella Bale, Ellie Curson and Amber Smith all going close with efforts from set pieces.
It did eventually come, though, when Alicia Podd played the ball through for Bale and her shot was well saved, but A.SMITH was in the right spot to fire in the rebound.
They found a third shortly after to head into the interval with a three goal lead as Curson played it through for Bale, who squared for A.SMITH to grab her second of the game.
Their dominant display continued into the second half and they made it four when CURSON tapped home from close range after a Bale header from a Jess Abrantes corner was saved.
Posh then introduced Taya Smith from the bench as they continued in their search for more goals.
T.SMITH popped up with an instant impact, as her effort from the edge of the box was well placed into the bottom corner.
The scoring was completed when Abrantes’ free kick was punched by the Plymouth goalkeeper, straight into the path of A.SMITH, who completed her hat-trick.
Next up for Posh is a trip to Portsmouth – a huge clash for both sides with both in the hunt for the league title. Posh hold a nine-point advantage over Pompey with four games to play and a positive result would do Georgia Clarke & Tom England’s team the world of good in what has been an excellent season to date.
FINAL SCORE: Posh 6-0 Plymouth
Posh XI: Dellar (GK), Turvey, Evans, Osker, Abrantes, Podd, Curson, A.Smith (C), Swanson, Gee, Bale
Subs: Halstead (GK), Oliver, Wilson, Cunningham, T.Smith
