REACTION: Posh boss dedicates derby win to absent fans and he enjoyed a calm and confident performance from his team

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson dedicated the latest derby win over Northampton Town to the club’s absent fans at the Weston Homes Stadium tonight (April 16).
Jonson Clarke-Harris of Peterborough United scores from the penalty spot past Cobblers 'keeper Jon Mitchell. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Jonson Clarke-Harris of Peterborough United scores from the penalty spot past Cobblers 'keeper Jon Mitchell. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Jonson Clarke-Harris of Peterborough United scores from the penalty spot past Cobblers 'keeper Jon Mitchell. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Posh saw off the Cobblers 3-1 - they havn’t lost to their local rivals in a league game since 2006 - thanks to two goals from Sammie Szmodics and a penalty from top scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris. The visitors briefly drew level towards the end of the first-half after a mistake by skipper Mark Beevers led to a spot-kick.

Posh have now joined Hull City at the top of League One and both are eight points clear of third-placed Sunderland who have a tough game at play-off chasing Blackpool tomorrow (April 17, 12,30pm).

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“At this stage of the season it’s about results,” Ferguson said. “And this was a very important win for us. It was a tough as I expected against a team fighting for their lives, but the fans will be delighted by the win and that really pleases me.

Nathan Thompson Peterborough United is fouled by Sam Hoskins of Northampton Town for a penalty. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Nathan Thompson Peterborough United is fouled by Sam Hoskins of Northampton Town for a penalty. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Nathan Thompson Peterborough United is fouled by Sam Hoskins of Northampton Town for a penalty. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

“It’s another game ticked off. We’ve taken 13 points from the last 15 winning our last two away games and keeping our home form strong.

“It’s a really good result. There was a calmness and confidence about our performance that augers well for the last five matches.

“At the start I felt we were in complete control of the game in terms of possession. We were just a little slow at times or we forced it too much. I felt the opening goal would settle us down, but it did the opposite. We got sloppy and we= conceded a bad goal.

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“‘Beevs’ should have just cleared the ball he knows that, but we spoke at half-time of timing the run and the forward pass better and we scored a great goal by doing just that pretty much straight away.

Sammie Szmodics of Peterborough United scores the opening goal against Northampton Town. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Sammie Szmodics of Peterborough United scores the opening goal against Northampton Town. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Sammie Szmodics of Peterborough United scores the opening goal against Northampton Town. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

“The players worked out where the space was better in the second half and we ran out comfortable winners in the end. The players showed some real character.

“Sammie has been excellent for us since he joined us on loan last season. He hasn’t trained much this week, but he’s a fit lad and he took his goals superbly.

“I thought the subs did well also. Ricky-Jade Jones was excellent pressing from the front and I had no doubts about Harrison Burrows, he was terrific when he came on.

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“It’s on to a tough game against Gillingham next Tuesday now (April 20, 7,45pm). I don’t think I’ll be watching the scores come through tomorrow though!”

Leaders Hull host Fleeetwood tomorrow (12.30pm).