After an action-packed set of fixtures on Good Friday saw the likes of Sheffield Wednesday draw and Burton Albion win in League One, Peterborough United were looking to make it two victories from two over the bumper Easter Weekend when Exeter City travelled down to Cambridgeshire.
Posh’s recent form in the third tier has catapulted Darren Ferguson’s men into playoff contention, the four-time Peterborough boss had won ten of his 16 matches since returning as interim manager in early January before this contest. An impressive and dominant 3-0 win against Shrewsbury Town last time out left Posh in 6th spot heading into this Easter encounter, a nervy and exciting few weeks in store for those with associations to Peterborough United.
Gary Caldwell’s travelling Exeter side would have one aim in mind – spoiling the resurgent mood in Cambridgeshire and returning to Devon as victors. Heading into this clash, the Grecians were in mixed form. Convincing wins versus promotion candidates Barnsley and relegation threatened Accrington Stanley shows off Exeter’s potential, but defeats to Cheltenham Town and Bolton Wanderers showcases a side finding their feet in the third tier still. However, Exeter’s unpredictable edge and their general fearlessness with promotion and relegation off the cards meant they could be a tricky side to overcome for Darren Ferguson’s men.
Team News
Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson named an unchanged lineup for this clash, with the likes of Jonson Clarke-Harris and Ephron Mason-Clark standing out in attack for Posh.
Exeter City, on the other hand, switched up their starting eleven. After losing to a solitary goal on Good Friday versus Bolton, Gary Caldwell included young attacker Sonny Cox in the lineup alongside starting Jake Caprice at the back. Demetri Mitchell also returned to the squad, a fan favourite at St James Park.
First Half
Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough United started this encounter dominating proceedings, a sign that Posh were full of confidence after recent positive results. An early Joe Ward free-kick would hit the wall before Posh took the lead fortuitously.
Kwame Poku’s low cross into the box within the opening 10 minutes was sliced into the back of the net by Grecians centre-back Alex Hartridge, Exeter’s number five wanting the ground to swallow him up. Posh’s fast start to the game was rewarded, 1-0 to the good.
They should’ve made their lead more emphatic as the half went on, countless chances spurned by the home side with Jonson Clarke-Harris narrowly putting an effort wide and Kwame Poku skying a shot over the bar. Exeter had bright moments courtesy of the electric pace Sam Nombe offers The Grecians, but it was proving to be a comfortable first half for Darren Ferguson’s Posh.
It was made even more comfortable after a fantastic over-the-top ball from Oliver Norburn was taken down by Ephron Mason-Clark, the former Barnet man managing to lift it over Jamal Blackman in the opposition net in the process with a delightful dinked finish. 2-0 to Peterborough United – a routine victory by all accounts.
Second Half
Whatever Gary Caldwell said at the half-time interval however would spur the visitors on to give Posh a contest, the Grecians not playing to the script.
Half-time substitute Rekeem Harper would become an instant hero to the Grecians away faithful, his fierce effort spilled into the net by Will Norris. 2-1 on the 46th minute mark, Exeter giving Posh all sorts of bother after barely threatening in the first 45.
Posh began to show signs of complacency, the likes of Josh Key and Archie Collins winning multiple 50/50’s centrally with Oliver Norburn and Jack Taylor switching off. They nearly levelled too as the second half ticked away, Jack Sparkes hitting the post from a header was one of many golden chances Gary Caldwell’s men had presented to them.
Demetri Mitchell’s substitution on the hour mark made Exeter’s game even more expansive, Nathanael Ogbeta having a torrid time down the flanks attempting to keep Exeter quiet.
Moments after Exeter’s main man Sam Nombe glanced wide a corner kick, Jonson Clarke-Harris showed why he’s running away with the League One golden boot. Not really involved up top with many efforts prior, Posh’s number 9 often only needs one chance to get on the scoresheet. A cross into the area saw Grecians defender Pierce Sweeney attempt to nod it back to Jamal Blackman, but the ex Chelsea goalkeeper spilled the header into the path of Jonson Clarke-Harris to instinctively prod home.
A subdued Posh home support suddenly got off their feet in applause, Jonson Clarke-Harris’ scrambled effort sealing the three points after Exeter provided various scares in the second half.
The 3-1 win for Peterborough United was made even sweeter when full-time results began to filter through, both Bolton and Derby – Posh’s nearest rivals to a final playoff spot – only managing to draw against Cambridge United and MK Dons. Darren Ferguson’s men rose to 5th as a result, two points clear of The Rams and Ian Evatt’s Wanderers.
Exeter City remain marooned in mid-table after this 3-1 defeat, dropping to 12th in the division.
Full Time – Peterborough United 3-1 Exeter City
Hartridge Own Goal 8’, Mason-Clark 41’, Clarke-Harris 70’ / Harper 46’
Man Of The Match
The man of the match on the day was awarded to Peterborough’s Jack Taylor and it was a deserved accolade for the ex Barnet midfielder. Scoring in the game before this one versus Shrewsbury, Taylor didn’t pop up with a strike against Exeter but his energy constantly drove Darren Ferguson’s men forward even when the contest was against them.
For Exeter, Josh Key was a thorn in the side for Peterborough United all match as was Sam Nombe who gave Ronnie Edwards and Frankie Kent plenty to do at the back all afternoon.
