SIt's four wins in four matches for Posh this summer. In itself that means less than the birthplace of England Test cricketers, but winning is never a bad habit.

Of much more concern to Posh manager Darren Ferguson will be individual form and fitness and it's fair to say some are further advanced than others.

Boyd was imperious in his hour on the pitch. His first contribution was a nutmeg and precise pull-back which Aaron Mclean failed to convert from the edge of the area and he generally gave Eddie Ancelet the run-around before setting up simple goal-scoring opportunities for Mclean on 38 minutes and Scott Rendell a minute before the break.

Boyd departed on the hour mark to generous applause from both sets of supporters. Only Ancelet seemed pleased to see him go.

Ferguson would also have been encouraged with Mclean's appetite and attitude aside from his goal, a side-foot finish from six yards. The word 'friendly' doesn't appear to be in the striker's vocabulary.

Traillist Paul Coutts also delivered a stylish midfield display and there were enough flashes of pace from new winger Shaun Batt to hint at potential. The flying Batt is on a temporary secondment from Fisher Athletic.

Charlie Lee started as a midfielder, but finished as a right-back and was energetic and destructive in both positions.

Rendell's goal was a tap-in after Mclean and Boyd had both teased and fumbled the ball into a goal-scoring position.

There could have been other goals most notably when half-time substitute Craig Mackail-Smith was denied by a goal-line clearance.

Stevenage also had their moments as Michael Bostwick headed over from a good position in the early stages and Lee Boylan struck the foot of the post following a slip by teenage full-back Callum Reed. Reed was drafted in at the last minute when Chris Whelpdale pulled out because of illness.

James McKeown, who apart from one misunderstanding with Chris Westwood which necessitated a fine clearance from Kieran Charnock, took his opportunity for 90 minutes well. He was forced to save at the feet of Anthony Thomas midway through the first period, but Posh were generally comfortable.

Ferguson said: "We controlled the game for long periods and played at a very pleasing tempo. Paul Coutts and Charlie Lee were outstanding and ran the game, but it was a good all-round display."

Rendell though was quiet apart from his simple finish and Charnock looked some way short of full match fitness.


Match facts

Posh: James McKeown, Callum Reed (sub Dean Keates, 46 mins), Tom Williams, Chris Westwood, Kieran Charnock, Shaun Batt, Paul Coutts (sub Micah Hyde, 61 mins), Charlie Lee, George Boyd (sub Alfie Potter, 61 mins), Aaron Mclean (sub Mackail-Smith, 46 mins), Scott Rendell.
Stevenage: James Russell, Eddie Ancelet, Scott Laird, Ronnie Henry, Mark Albrighton, Gary Mills, Mitchell Cole, Michael Bostwick, Daryl McMahon, Anthony Thomas, Lee Boylan. Subs used: Michael Jordan, Lawrie Wilson, Craig Westcarr, Michael Bridges, Isyeden Christie, Luke Oliver.

Goals: Posh - Mclean (38 mins), Rendell (44 mins).

Referee: Darren Deadman (Chatteris).