MATCH REACTION: McCann satisfied with opening friendly

New Peterborough United manager Grant McCann was satisfied with his team's efforts in the 1-1 draw at Boston United today (July 9).
Hayden White in action for Posh at Boston. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Hayden White in action for Posh at Boston. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Hayden White in action for Posh at Boston. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

New centre-back Ryan Tafazolli opened the scoring for Posh in the first-half, but the National North side equalised midway through the second-half.

McCann changed his entire line-up at half-time and was pleased to give minutes to 16 year-olds Lewis Freestone and Cameron Gow as well as players returning from injury, namely strikers Tom Nichols and Joe Gormley.

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“It was exactly what we wanted. The result doesn’t really matter to me. It was a fitness exercise and the sharpness will come. It’s been seven-to-eight weeks since we played a game.

Leo Da Silva Lopes in action for Posh against Boston. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Leo Da Silva Lopes in action for Posh against Boston. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Leo Da Silva Lopes in action for Posh against Boston. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

“It was good to get young players some minutes for experience and good to get the senior players who have been injured some minutes as well. Lewis Freestone was excellent at left-back for a lad who has only just turned 16.

“Everything is going to plan so far. We introduced some new players into our system and they did well. It was good to see us score from a set-piece as we’ve struggled with them in recent seasons.

“Ryan is a good defender, but I also wanted to sign him because of his threat in the opposition penalty area. He scored from an excellent Marcus Maddison delivery.

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“I was satisfied with the display against decent opposition. The only negative was Lee Angol picking up an ankle injury.

“The medical staff will assess him over the weekend.”

Posh are back in action at National League side Boreham Wood on Monday (July 11) when McCann will again limit all players to 45 minutes.