Posh paint the county blue with resounding derby day victory

Charlie McLellan was at the Peterborough v Cambridge derby game at the weekend - here's his report from the match

In last season’s Cambridgeshire derby at the Weston Homes stadium, Cambridge were thumped 5-0 by a top-class Posh side.

Astoundingly, this season’s result was even more embarrassing; with Darren Ferguson’s side putting six past their bitter rivals, with the game ending 6-1.

The opening exchanges were cagey in front of a sellout London Road crowd. The visitors were arguably the better side, with Posh stopper Nicholas Bilokapic making some sharp saves.

Posh are a side that can counter-attack ruthlessly, and their first goal was a prime example of that. After some lovely quick passing in the centre on 25 minutes, the ball ended up wide with Jack Sparkes on the left wing. His inviting low cross was bundled home by homegrown talent Ricky-Jade Jones.

This goal ignited Posh, who added to their lead just eight minutes later. Starman Kwame Poku tapped a delicious Joel Randall delivery past the stranded Cambridge ‘keeper.

Poku, who has won two back-to-back League One Player of The Month awards, added to his personal tally six minutes later, cutting in from the right wing and producing a low finish that kissed the left post and went in.

It got better for Posh before the interval. Malik Mothersille was hauled down in the penalty area, leading to referee Ed Duckworth pointing to the spot. Mothersille took the resulting penalty, and slotted calmly into the bottom left corner.

Ferguson’s side picked up where they left off in the second half, adding to their already impressive tally just five minutes after the break. Midfielder Ryan De Havilland netted his first goal of the season, finishing a well-worked move from just outside the six-yard box.

The U’s pulled one back with six minutes of normal time remaining. Sully Kaikai scored with a fantastic effort, cutting in and curling his shot off the left upright and into the net.

Posh put the cherry on the cake with the last kick of regular time. Kwame Poku etched his name in Peterborough United folklore, completing his hat-trick with a low dragged shot from inside the penalty area before receiving adoration from a raucous GH display stand.

It was a very successful derby day for Darren Ferguson’s men, who are next in action on Saturday 16th November against Charlton Athletic at The Valley.