FULL-TIME: Peterborough United 3, Swindon Town 1: Clarke-Harris at the double as Posh claim a come-from-behind win

Summer signings Jonson Clarke-Harris (2), one from the penalty spot, and Ryan Broom scored the goals as Posh fought back from a 1-0 half-time deficit to beat Swindon Town 3-1 at the Weston Homes Stadium today (October 3).

But pride in a second home comeback of the campaign will be tempered by a woeful first-half display which the visitors could have ended comfortably ahead after taking a sixth minute lead through Jack Payne.

Posh manager Darren Ferguson reacted by changing formation at the break. He ditched his wing-back system to play a 4-4-1-1 formation.

Payne’s precise first-time finish from Jordan Stevens’ cut-back in the sixth-minute was followed quickly by fine saves from Posh ‘keeper Christy Pym to thwart Payne and Brett Pitman.

The goal was wonderfully created, but the other opportunities followed howlers by former Swindon skipper Nathan Thompson.

Thompson gave the ball away twice enabling the visitors to bear down on Pym with little resistance.

Payne also fired a free kick high over the crossbar after a Mark Beevers’ error as Posh continued to try and self destruct.

It was so bad Ferguson stormed down from his place in the stands to after just 20 minutes to berate his slow-passing players from the technical area.

Swindon did lose some of their fluency as the half wore on, but Posh were laboured in possession and struggled to create anything more than half chances.

Sammie Szmodics was denied by Swindon ‘keeper Matej Kovar after Clarke-Harris had nodded Dan Butler’s cross into his path, but otherwise Kovar had a stream of inaccurate crosses to deal with.

Siriki Dembele looked flat throughout the opening half which was a worry.

Posh looked fortunate to escape in the closing stages of the first-half when a slick free kick move freed right-back Paul Caddis into the area. Szmodics lunged in to stop the move, but the officials deemed the challenge to be fair to the surprise of most onlookers.

Szmodics was soon down the other end forcing a low save from Kovar, leaving the impression that Posh would have scoring chances in the second-half if they just sharpened up in possession.

Ferguson’s reaction was to chance shape and the response was immediate.

Clarke-Harris linked up superbly with Joe Ward, who was now playing on the right wing, and finished from close range. It was a first Posh goal for the summer signing and the club’s 4000th in the Football League.

And it was almost two goals in a minute as Dembele smacked a superb shot against the crossbar from 25 yards with Clarke-Harris nodding the rebound from 12 yards on to the top of the bar.

Posh were now passing the ball more crisply, but Swindon still looked a huge threat on the counter attack.

Pitman shot tamely at Pym from one opportunity and was then frustrated by Mark Beevers’ timely block.

But it was Posh who broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 69th minute. Beevers did well to win a header from a free-kick and Szmodics did even better to reach the knockdown just before a defender who caught him persuading referee Lee Doughty to point to the spot.

Clarke-Harris powered the spot-kick home despite Kovar getting a hand on the ball.

Posh immediately substituted Szmodics and it was another inspired move by Ferguson as his replacement Broom scored within five minutes of coming on.

Dembele did the donkey work with some fine control and an excellent pass to the summer signing who beat Kovar at his near post.

Posh dominated the final stages. They looked quick and strong and played with great intensity to set themselves up for the big derby at Northampton next weekend.

Swindon manager Richie Wellens was shown a red card after the game, presumably for foul and abusive language.

Posh: Christy Pym, Nathan Thompson, Mark Beevers, Frankie Kent, Joe Ward, Dan Butler, Jack Taylor, Louis Reed (sub Reece Brown, 58 mins), Sammie Szmodics (sub Ryan Broom 73 mins), Siriki Dembele, Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Unused subs: Dan Gyollai, Mo Eisa, Frazer Blake-Tracy, Harrison Burrows, Ethan Hamilton.

Swindon: Matej Kovar, Paul Caddis, Zeki Fryers (sub Jonathan Grounds, 28 mins), Jordan Stevens (sub Tyler Smith, 73 mins), Matheieu Baudry, Jonny Smith (sub Diallang Jaiyesmi, 60 mins), Anthony Grant, Matty Smith, Jack Payne, Rob Hunt, Brett Pitman.

Unused subs: Hallum Hope, Dion Donohue, Joe Fryer,Taylor Curren.

Goals: Posh - Clarke-Harris (47 mins & 69 mins), Broom (78 mins)

Swindon - Payne (6 mins).

Sending off: Swindon - Wellens (foul and abusive language).

Cautions: Swindon - Baudry (foul), Caddis (foul), Grounds (dissent).

Referee: Leigh Doughty 5

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