Peterborough Sports boss happy to now have selection problems after FA Trophy success
Peterborough Sports boss Phil Brown is happy to have selection problems for the Tuesday night National League North trip to Darlington.
A much-changed Sports team won their second round FA Trophy tie 2-1 at divisional rivals Oxford City on Saturday and several who stepped into the side did well.
Goalkeeper Sam Edwards was outstanding, defender Connor Wood scored from 30 yards, debutant centre-back Kevin Joshua was impressive and Shaquile Coulthirst showed great composure up front.
Powerful substitute striker Ben Beresford scored the late winning goal from a superb Mustapha Carayol coss. Carayol was another to shine after coming off the bench as Sports came through a madcap final 10 minutes to earn a place in Monday’s third round draw (3.15pm on TalkSPORT). The National League clubs enter the competition at this stages.
A win at Darlington would lift Sports out of the relegation zone.
"There were lots of things I liked about this game,” Brown told Peterborough Community Radio after the win in Oxford. “Only the squad will change our position in the league, it won’t just be the 11 starters. My job for Tuesday has now been made very difficult as I saw defenders with a desire to keep the ball out of the net and a front five who caused problems.
"We had done enough to win the game before the late drama and it is a disappointment I am still awaiting the first clean sheet since I became manager, but I want to players to grab a shirt when they come in and play. Some did that in this game.
"We had big Kevin on trial as it were. He’s 6ft 6ins, left footed and he can play so he was always going to be worth a look. He was at Port Vale on trial and it was only the lack of a pre-season that stopped Darren Moore (Vale manager) from signing him. The two lads alongside him in a back three, Aaron Powell and Connor Wood, were also good, while I like Sam Edwards a lot. His distribution is good, but he also looks calm and composed. He was brilliant here. Shaq Coulthirst has been desperate to play and you could see his quality.
"We are still a little but too nice when we could with being nasty, but we had subs come on an impact the game which I love to see.
“We’ve been playing in fits and starts this season so it’s important I pick the right team and formation for Darlington. We will go up there looking to win, but a point wouldn’t be a bad return. I want a clean sheet, at least a point and if we win then happy days.”
Brown made two late changes to a team he had selected on Thursday night.
He added: “I loved football when I was playing and I still love football which is why I’m managing at the age of 66, but a couple of players in my dressing room don’t appear to love football as much as I do. Two players I had picked to start didn’t feel able to play today which was very disappointing.”