One Sided Affair in dominant Peterborough Win

Match Report – by Terry Oakley
Premier League
Peterborough versus Plymouth
28th January 2023 at Ross Peers Leisure Centre, Soham

Peterborough Squad
1   Anthony Williams (Goalkeeper – 1st Half)
2   Tom Hillam
3   Milo Carter
4   Declan Lander
5   Michael Carter (Captain)
6   Harry Hillam
7   Josh Aaltonen
8   Luca Oakley
9   Lily Messenger
10 Tyler Salmon (Goalkeeper – 2nd Half)

Referees:- A.Kneeshaw and S.Bauguitte.

This was Plymouth’s second Premier League match of the day having previously been beaten by Soham 24 – 2 in the first match of this Tournament held in Soham.  Plymouth must have wondered what was in store for them after playing an experienced team in Soham to then be pitched against a team of enthusiastic youngsters.

However, the first action involved Peterborough’s most experienced player, Michael Carter, who after two minutes play found himself with space in front of the Plymouth goal and he finished confidently with a flick shot into the roof of the net.  Michael made full use of the two diagonal dummy runs by his team mates to occupy Plymouth defenders.  Peterborough 1 Plymouth 0.

Worryingly, Peterborough again switched off after scoring their goal and allowed Taylor Adams to break through and strike his shot against the Peterborough goal post which bounced to safety.  This seemed to spring Peterborough into frantic action and a neat move involving Josh Aaltonen and Luca Oakley resulted in a timely cross rink pass to Luca who swept his shot home.  Peterborough 2 Plymouth 0.

Play continued to be heavily focussed in the Plymouth half and a body check by Kai Swabey on Michael Carter resulted in Peterborough being awarded a penalty with Plymouth complaining that he had dived.  Josh Aaltonen stepped forward to initially miss the target but was alert and composed enough to latch onto the rebound and confidently flicked the ball home at his second attempt.  Peterborough 3 Plymouth 0. 
Another fast break down the Plymouth left between Luca Oakley and Josh Aaltonen left defenders in their wake and a perfect pass from Luca to Josh allowed him to place his shot wide of Sam Islam in the Plymouth goal.  Peterborough 4 Plymouth 0. 
An excellent tackle by Lily Messenger on the half way line released Harry Hillam to attack the Plymouth defence and his timely cross rink pass to Luca Oakley enabled him to claim his second goal of the match with a top hand right corner finish. Peterborough 5 Plymouth 0. 
A quick break by Plymouth involving Kai Swabey and Taylor Adams drew a fine save from Anthony Williams in the Peterborough goal.  This was soon followed by a fine break by Josh Aaltonen  and Michael Carter into the heart of the Plymouth defence and Josh’s well timed pass to Harry Hillam enabled him to confidently find the net.  Peterborough 6 Plymouth 0. 
Another creative piece of play from Josh Aaltonen enabled Milo Carter to score his first goal of the match.  Peterborough 7 Plymouth 0. 
The last action of the first half saw a good flick shot by Kai Swabey which was acrobatically saved by Anthony Williams in the Peterborough goal. 
Half Time Peterborough 7 Plymouth 0. 
The second half quickly snapped back into action with another piece of fine interplay between Luca Oakley and Josh Aaltonen, followed by Luca’s screen against the Plymouth defender, enabled Josh to advance into  space and he scored with a fine reverse slapshot.  Peterborough 8 Plymouth 0. 
The same two players combined again in the next attack and Luca’s pass found Josh in space and he hit an almost identical reverse slapshot into the Plymouth net.  Peterborough 9 Plymouth 0. 
Kai Swabey produced a fine save from Tyler Salmon in the Peterborough goal as he burst forward from his defensive position.  The next flurry of action involved Gavin Swabey who fouled Milo Carter in the penalty area.  Gavin seemed to think it was a harsh decision and that “it was a coming together incident” rather than a deliberate foul.  Tom Hillam was given the responsibility of taking the penalty but, unfortunately for him, Sam Islam in the Plymouth goal produced a fine save to deny Tom.  One minute later Luca Oakley broke through the Plymouth defence and with Milo Carter up in support Luca’s timely pass to Milo enabled him to sweep home his second goal of the match.  Peterborough 10 Plymouth 0. 
Plymouth then had a good spell where Peterborough’s goalie had to produce two fine saves to deny Jamie Williams and Kai Swabey in quick succession.  Good interplay between Peterborough’s two senior players, Michael Carter and Declan Lander, allowed Declan enough space to get his shot away for a fine finish.  Peterborough 11 Plymouth 0. 
Plymouth then replied with a goal of their own. Some slack defensive marking allowed Jamie Williams sufficient space to hit a fine reverse slapshot into the Peterborough goal.  Peterborough 11 Plymouth 1. 
A hook on Michael Carter by Gavin Swabey (Gavin received a blue card for the challenge) presented Michael with an opportunity to secure his second goal from the resultant direct.  He cleverly worked his space with the ball and placed his shot wide of the advancing Sam Islam in the Plymouth goal.  Peterborough 12 Plymouth 1. 
A good Plymouth move down Peterborough’s right hand side defence by Kai Swabey produced an aerial pass into the centre of goal for Jamie Williams to smash in his second goal of the match.  Peterborough 12 Plymouth 2.

A fast break by Declan Lander left two defenders trailing and he confidently shot home for his second goal of the match.  Peterborough 13 Plymouth 2.

Another fine move with passes being quickly exchanged involving Luca Oakley and Josh Aaltonen resulted in Josh scoring his fifth goal of the match.  Peterborough 14 Plymouth 2.

Full Time Peterborough 14 Plymouth 2.

Man of the Match:- Josh Aaltonen – Peterborough – 5 Goals. 
This match must have been tough for Plymouth following on from their heavy defeat to Soham earlier in the afternoon.  However, they did not give up at any stage and the two loudest shouts, which were heard during the match, was from their players’ and their travelling supporters’.

This match was a big improvement on the Under 20’s tepid performance in last weekend’s Tournament held at Letchworth.

Peterborough can now look forward to their next Premier League match when they travel to Herne Bay to take on Invicta on the 11th of February.