Peterborough United would come away from Wembley Stadium as EFL Trophy champions in the most dramatic fashion possible, with Posh captain Harrison Burrows spectacularly scoring at the death to help his side win 2-1 over Wycombe Wanderers.
Not content with just one goal in the game, the boyhood Posh fan would embarrass Franco Ravizzoli in the Wycombe net with a looping effort to cancel out second-half substitute Dale Taylor’s equaliser.
Cue the wild celebrations at the final whistle from Darren Ferguson’s men and the Posh fans in London, who could both be back under the Wembley arch just next month for the League One play-off final.
There are plenty of talking points from this enthralling clash to chew over, including Matt Bloomfield’s tricky Chairboys being a stern opponent for Posh, the importance of the much-maligned competition and lots more…
𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 🔵#pufc pic.twitter.com/TPV7hhZavr
— Peterborough United (@theposh) April 7, 2024
Harrison Burrows deserves all of his plaudits
Recognised in the recent EFL Award nominations as a contender for League One Player of the Season, the 22-year-old wing-back showed to everybody on the big stage why he’s gaining so many plaudits this campaign with another stand-out performance.
Scoring both of Posh’s goals in the 2-1 win, with his second of the afternoon outrageously finding the back of the net, Burrows is now onto 11 goals in all competitions from 51 games on top of picking up an impressive 14 assists.
THIS IS INCREDIBLE!
Harrison Burrows does it again and it's a BEAUTY! 😍 pic.twitter.com/Db0INySOXA
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 7, 2024
Spoken of highly by all those with associations to the Cambridgeshire outfit, the one-time Academy prospect turned exceptional first-team star will hope he can perform to these same high standards for the rest of April and beyond as Posh strive to win promotion up to the Championship.
Posh could use this as fuel to go on and win promotion
That second elusive automatic promotion spot could well be out of Posh’s reach now, with Derby County holding a superior eight-point gap over Fergie’s men even with his side having two games in hand, but this win at Wembley yesterday could now be viewed as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming play-off final.
Fergie’s outfit would of course have to get over their very raw semi-final trauma inflicted onto them by Sheffield Wednesday last season, but this maturing group at the Scotsman’s disposal will want to taste success again in such a distinguished stadium after lifting the EFL Trophy.
Therefore, Posh could exorcise their Owls demons back in London next month if they return using this victory as a confidence booster.
Matt Bloomfield has made Wycombe tough to beat
Posh’s 2-1 win also saw them move away from the notion of Wycombe being a bogey side that they have found, in the past, difficult to beat.
Taylor’s equalising goal before Burrows stole the headlines late on must have given Fergie’s men that sinking feeling they would come unstuck again versus the Chairboys, having picked up just one point in their two league meetings with Bloomfield’s side this season.
With Wycombe once nervously looking over their shoulder at the relegation spots in League One despite picking up results against Posh, credit must go to the previously under-fire boss who has turned his team’s fortunes around to push Posh all the way yesterday and remain in a respectable 14th in the third tier standings.
"I reflect with pride. I thought we were absolutely excellent… sometimes it's not meant to be"
Wycombe Matt Bloomfield reflects after defeat in the EFL Trophy final 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/NRfqvyYvV1
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 7, 2024
The likes of Jack Grimmer and Chris Forino stood out for the Buckinghamshire-based club in London, alongside 20-year-old Richard Kone – who was playing non-league football up until January this year – who attempted to unnerve Ronnie Edwards and Josh Knight all afternoon before Sam Vokes came on.
Darren Ferguson is a serial winner
Whether you love him or loathe him, it cannot be denied that the now four-time Posh boss is a serial winner.
Achieving five promotions in total as a manager with both Posh and Doncaster Rovers, this triumph over Wycombe is also his second EFL Trophy success to add even more shine to his back catalogue of achievements.
Fergie won’t be content with those numbers however, with a ridiculous sixth potential promotion already on his mind when Posh return back to the bread and butter of third tier action this Wednesday night with ground to make up on Derby in League One.
If anyone can steer his beloved Cambridgeshire side to yet another promotion, Fergie can.
The EFL Trophy matters
Often viewed as a much-maligned Cup competition and for valid reasons, with the inclusion of U21 sides in recent years rightly controversial, the electric atmosphere at the final whistle from a Posh perspective showcases that the often lesser thought of trophy still has a place in people’s hearts.
Burrows’ emotions at lifting the silverware after the game was over and done with is case enough that Posh were cherishing every minute of this success and not giving in to the idea that the trophy is a waste of time, having fought long and hard to get to Wembley to be champions alongside an equally determined Wycombe.
"I'm happy for all the families, the players, the staff" 🙌
Peterborough United Chairman is extremely 'proud' after winning the EFL Trophy 🏆 pic.twitter.com/fdnNdWR6tz
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 7, 2024
It won’t ever have the same grandeur as the FA Cup – or even the EFL Cup for that matter – but for League One and League Two clubs, a Wembley day-out should not be sniffed at if they take this competition seriously.
