REPORT: Peterborough United 2, Crewe Alexandra 0: Super Sammie inspires Posh to victory

Szmodics scored one and created the other for top scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris as Posh saw off a talented and spirited Crewe side 2-0. They should have won by more given they were up against a wide open defence, but they’ll take the win after a rough couple of performances, one that moves them up a place to fourth.

There was some cheer for Posh before the game as midfielder Jack Taylor was passed fit. Reece Brown returned to replace Ethan Hamillton in the only change to the side that started at Shrewsbury last weekend.

Star Crewe man Charlie Kirk was left on the bench.

The pitch was a bad of course, but to be fair to both sides they tried to pass and they tried to attack. It made for a terrific 45 minutes during which Posh became stronger as the half wore on.

Frankie Kent had to deliver a couple of fine pieces of defending as Crewe found early joy behind the home wingbacks, but Posh looked a threat on the counter with Clarke-Harris testing Crewe ‘keeper Dave Richards before he headed Dan Butler’s superb cross wide.

The Posh forwards were getting plenty of space in which to work though and they punished Crewe in the 26th minute.

Butler, who was outstanding in the first period, found Dembele who sent Szmodics racing through on goal to finish expertly

And it was 2-0 five minutes later when Jack Taylor’s lovely pass found Szmodics in space on the left again. He drove into the penalty area and squared to give Clarke-Harris a close range tap-in.

Posh continued to power forward at every opportunity before the break without finding another killer ball.

Posh also started the second-half well. They pressed high and effectively, and were not afraid to bypass the muddy middle of the pitch. They also started to use a Joe Ward long throw. He’s clearly bulked up during his recent time off.

Brown shot over the edge of the penalty area, but Crewe enjoyed a good spell which saw Owen Dale head a great chance over the bar from close range.

Crewe enjoyed plenty of possession, but struggled to create opportinities. Posh looked the more likely to score on the counter attack.

Szmodics fired wide after good work from Kent and Clarke-Harris.

Posh lost Kent to injury with 20 minutes to go, but Dembele should have sealed the points soon after following a superb through ball from Szmodics. Dembele beat Richards, but also the post by some distance.

Visiting defender Oliver Lancashire looped a header from a well worked short corner before Clarke-Harris played substitute Mo Eisa through five minutes from time, but his shot was well saved.

Posh saw out the final minutes comfortably. They defended their penalty area so well Christy Pym travelled through another 90 minutes without making a meaningful save.

Posh: Christy Pym, Dan Butler, Mark Beevers, Nathan Thompson, Frankie Kent (sub Idris Kanu, 73 mins), Joe Ward (sub Niall Mason 68 mins), Jack Taylor, Reece Brown (sub Ethan Hamilton, 68 mins), Sammie Szmodics, Siriki Dembele (sub Mo Eisa, 80 mins). Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Unused subs: Dan Gyollai, Harrison Burrows, Fraser Blake-Tracy.

Crewe: Dave Richards, Harry Pickering, Ryan Wintle, Daniel Powell (sub Stephen Walker, 59 mins), Mikael Mandron (sub Chris Porter, 59 mins), Olly Lancashire, Owen Dale, Omar Beckles, Billy Jones, Antony Evans (sub Tom Lowery, 59 mins)

Unused subs: Will Jaaskelainen, Charlie Kirk, Travis Johnson, Nathan Wood .

Goals:

Posh - Szmodics (25 mins), Clarke-Harris (31 mins).

Posh - Taylor (foul), Kent (foul), Dembele (delaying the restart).

Crewe

Referee: Carl Boyeson 7