Peterborough United struck four in a thrilling Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final first leg to ensure that they are in the driving seat heading into the second leg at Hillsborough on Thursday.
The hosts dominated the early possession but it was Sheffield Wednesday who nearly took the lead with seven minutes on the clock. Posh midfielder Ollie Norburn slipped which sent Michael Smith through on goal, but a strong left-handed save from Will Norris ensured the tie remained level.
The decibel levels were raised inside the Weston Homes Stadium on the 20-minute mark when Jack Taylor’s driven strike at goal was too powerful for Owls’ goalkeeper Cameron Dawson to keep out.
One became two 15 minutes later as Joe Ward’s strike from the right-hand side deflected off Marvin Johnson and flew in via the crossbar.
Darren Moore’s side almost received a lifeline soon after, when Josh Windass broke through the Peterborough defence, but Norris was again the hero to preserve their two-goal lead.
The next goal in the game was crucial and the Owls were desperate to half the deficit. However, it was Peterborough that struck again, as the visitors evening went from bad to worse. The goal came as Wednesday pushed forward, allowing the hosts to counter-attack. Lively winger Ephron Mason-Clark picked up the ball and delivered a lovely cross to Kwame Poku on the opposing flank to head home.
The visiting side thought they should have had a penalty when Johnson struck towards goal following a goalmouth scramble and the ball appeared to hit the hand of Ronnie Edwards. Referee Anthony Backhouse was unmoved, despite Wednesday players being convinced.
Peterborough sealed the win with a fourth courtesy of Jonson Clarke-Harris with 8 minutes remaining when he angled his header into the net. They had a chance to make it five with moments remaining when Poku had his effort expertly saved by the Wednesday ‘keeper.
Darren Ferguson will be the much happier manager heading into the second leg, and he told Posh TV that the fans played a massive part in their victory.
“I thought the fans were great. It reminded me of the MK Dons game under the lights and that night was a very good performance as well. But tonight, has definitely topped that and I am sure we will now take a lot to Hillsborough.”
Peterborough United: Norris, Edwards, Kent, Burrows, Ward, Taylor, Kyprianou, Norburn, Poku, Mason-Clark (Jade-Jones 88’), Clarke-Harris
Unused substitutes: Blackmore, Knight, Tshimanga, Butler, B.Thompson, Randall
Sheffield Wednesday: Dawson, Palmer, Vaulks, Iorfa, Bannan, Windass, Paterson (Gregory 58’), Johnson, Ihiekwe (James 85’), Smith (Adeniran 61’), Flint
Unused substitutes: Stockdale, Dele Bashiru, Bakinson, Hunt
Attendance: 12,965 (2,348 Sheffield Wednesday fans)
Writer’s View
Posh were deserved victors in this match, but not many would have expected this outcome before the match.
The Sheffield-based outfit have a mammoth task if they are going to make it to Wembley on Thursday, attempting to overthrow a four-goal deficit.
