He was at it again on Tuesday (February 9) when curling in a beauty from a free-kick to seal a 2-1 League One win over Ipswich Town.
That was Ward’s 13th Posh goal and nine have been scored from outside the area. Posh have never lost when Ward has scored.
“If you don’t shoot you don’t score,” Ward, who signed a contract extension earlier this season, stated this week. “And I’m always happy to take a shot on.
“I work hard after training every day on my free-kicks and it paid off against Ipswich.
“It was probably the wrong side for me, but after Jonno (Clarke-Harris) was fouled I raced over there to say I fancied it.
“I just concentrated on whipping it with as much pace as possible, and as close to the wall as possible, and I knew it was in as soon as it left my foot. It’s a great feeling when all the practice pays off.
“That was a big win for us. We fell behind from nowhere, but we stuck to our football and ran out deserving winners.
“They played a midfield diamond and we knew how to exploit that. You have to work hard in a diamond to close wide players down so me and Dan (Butler) had lots of space to work in.
“Dan delivered the perfect cross for the equaliser whereas I found it hard to cross well. The pitch doesn’t help. I was trying to whip them in, but I had trouble getting them off the ground.
“We’re in a good place though. The whole squad is ready and raring to go every match. The starters kinow they can run hard for an hour as the players coming on are just as effective.”
Ward’s goal afainst Ipswich was his third of the season and his first since October.
Posh are third in League One, but could drop down a place today after their scheduled trip to Blackpool was postponed because of a frozen pitch.
PICK YOUR BEST JOE WARD GOAL FROM THESE 10...
1.
v Sunderland (away) October, 2018. The Stadium of Light is not a bad place to score your first Posh goal and Ward came on as a half-time substitute to fire a well controlled shot into the bottom corner from 22 yards. The goal brought Posh level at 1-1. The match finished 2-2. Photo: Midlands
2.
v Burton (away), October 2018. Later that same month there was nothing in a game at Burton when Ward ambled forward and unleashed a swerving strike into the top corner from 22 yards with his left foot. It was the first Posh goal in a smash and grab 2-1 win. Photo: Midlands
3.
v Bromley (away) November, 2018. The only goal we've featured that was scored from inside the penalty area, but it was a well-finished team goal following a smart counter attack to complete a 3-1 FA Cup win at non-league Bromley. Photo: Midlands
4.
v Bristol Rovers (away), January, 2019. The first game of manager Darren Ferguson's third spell in charge of Posh and Ward rescued a point from a 2-2 draw with a stunning 30 yard smash which flew into the top corner. Photo: Midlands