Peterborough United bounce back to form with a well deserved win at Reading
Peterborough United bounced back to form with a thoroughly deserved 2-1 League One win at Reading on Tuesday night.
An early goal from Jimmy-Jay Morgan and a superb finish from Harry Leonard halted a run of four defeats in a row in all competitions. Leonard struck the winner on 69 minutes, just eight minutes after a defensive mix-up had enabled Kelvin Ehibatiomhan to equalise for the hosts.
Winger Kyrell Lisbie had a hand in both goals in a game largely controlled by Posh. Reading threatened only from set-pieces and Posh hearts were in mouths when home centre-back Paudie O’Connor rose to meet a 96th minute corner only to direct a header straight at visiting ‘keeper Alex Bass.
An equaliser would have been a travesty and the only downer was a failure to escape the bottom four. Posh were kept in the relegation zone by Exeter City’s late winner against AFC Wimbledon, but the gap to many other teams just outside the bottom four narrowed considerably.
Posh made three changes to their last League One starting line-up, a disappointing 2-1 reverse at Doncaster Rovers.
In came centre-back David Okagbue, and forwards Leonard and Declan Frith and out went Tom O’Connor, who was injured, and midfielders Matt Garbett and Brandon Khela.
Reading welcomed former Posh Golden Boot winner Jack Marriott to their matchday squad after a six-game absence with a hamstring issue.
Posh enjoyed the perfect start and scored first for the first time in five games. Lisbie was a lively threat down the left and his fine third minute cross was headed goalwards by Leonard. It was blocked by a home defender, but the ball hit the onrushing Jimmy Jay Morgan and rolled over the line past a wrong-footed goalkeeper.
Reading didn’t look too perturbed by the early blow and had two reasonable shouts for penalties in quick succession. Bass almost presented the hosts with a 15th minute equaliser with a careless short pass, but the ball was returned quickly to him by a clumsy home player.
A long throw from Randall Williams was then poorly defended, but Daniel Kyerewaa blazed over at the far post before Posh started to control possession with far more authority.
They kept the ball well against a mediocre press without making too many threatening moves forward, but the crowd started to get restless until the last minute of the half when another long throw was defended badly only for Kyerewaa to see his shot deflected wide.
Defending set-pieces was an issue throughout with Ebihatiomhan heading an early free kick when well placed.
Posh resumed control of possession after the break with Leonard getting in the way of a Lisbie pass which looked set to give Frith a great chance to score. Instead Reading were soon down the other end and a free kick was half cleared only for Archie Collins to head it back into the penalty area where Harley Mills left it for Bass only for the long leg of lanky Ebihatiomhan to appear to prod the ball home.
But the Posh response to a setback was impressive and Lisbie’s delightful chipped pass gave Leonard the chance to show off his finishing skills.
Substitute Donay O’Brien-Brady delivered a weak finish to a superb pass from Garbett as Posh continued to look the most likely scorers until that late corner.
It was a welcome boost ahead of a visit from noisy neighbours Northampton Town on Saturday.
Posh: Alex Bass, Harley Mills, David Okagbue, Tom Lees, Peter Kioso, Ben Woods (sub Brandon Khela, 75 mins), Archie Collins, Kyrell Lisbie, Jimmy-Jay Morgan (sub Donay O’Brien-Brady, 63 mins), Declan Frith (sub Matt Garbett, 63 mins), Harry Leonard (sub Gustav Lindgren 82 mins).
Unused subs: Vicente Reyes, Abraham Odoh, James Dornelly.
Reading: Joel Pereira, Kelvin Abrefa (Andy Yiadom, 82 mins), Abraham Dorsett (sub Andre Garcia, 82 mins), Charlie Savage, Daniel Kyerewaa, Paudie O’Connor, Kamari Doyle (sub Matt Ritchie (63 mins), Derrick Williams, Lewis Wing, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan (sub Jack Marriott 63 mins).
Unused subs: Jack Stevens, Finley Burns, Andy Rinomhota.
GOALS: Posh – Morgan (3 mins), Leonard (69 mins).
Reading – Ehibhatiomhan (61 mins).
CAUTIONS: Posh – Woods (foul), Kioso (foul), Mills (foul).
Reading – Ehibhatiomhan (foul).
REFEREE: Craig Hicks 7.
ATTENDANCE: 9,183 (313 Posh).