Five-star Conn-Clarke overshadows latest comeback game for Hughes as Peterborough United Under 21s win goal-crazy game
Transfer-listed forward Chris Conn-Clarke scored five times as Peterborough United won a goal-crazy Professional Development Under 21 League fixture at Barnsley.
It finished 6-3 to Posh as Conn-Clarke’s form overshadowed the latest comeback game for central defender Sam Hughes. Hughes played the first-half of the game as he works his way towards a first Football League appearance for 18 months.
Conn-Clarke scored twice in the first 15 minutes before Pat Sykut made it 3-0 on 19 minutes. Conn-Clarke then completed a 25-minute hat-trick before the hosts hit back to make it 4-2 at the break.
But Conn-Clarke, who has not played for the first team since the arrival of Robbie Savage as manager, continued his personal rampage with two second-half strikes before Barnsley added a late consolation goal. One of his goals was brilliantly struck from the halfway line.
Hughes played his first competitive minutes for almost 18 months in last week’s Under 21 draw with Sheffield United.
Posh: Smith, Freeman, Joseph, Claxton (sub Bushell, 46 mins), Hughes (sub Arber, 46 mins), Christoudias, Conn-Clarke, O’Brien-Brady (sub Mlityalwa, 80 mins), Sykut (sub Simmons, 46 mins), Fox, McWilliams-Marcano (sub Jones, 80 mins).
Unused Subs: Bucknor, Crozier.