REPORT: Sammie can’t stop scoring as Peterborough United come from behind to claim a crucial win

For an hour Posh struggled to make any inroads on a physical, some would say dirty, visiting side as they battled to hold on to a lead given them by Conor Washington’s early penalty.

But a change of shape to 4-4-2 changed the flow of the game as Posh suddenly took charge. It took a defensive error for Jonson Clarke-Harris to set up Szmodics for the 67th minute equaliser and the same pair combined magnificently for the winning goal 11 minutes later.

It’s been a remarkable turnaround in scoring form for Szmodics. Before the weekend he had scored one League One goal all season - he now has five!

Posh were without assist king Joe Ward due to injury presumably, while Niall Mason was perhaps unfortunate to be left out in favour of Nathan Thompson after a sterling display at the weekend. Idris Kanu replaced Ward.

As expected Marcus Maddison was absent for Charlton, but they did start with a former Posh strike force of Washington and Omar Bogle.

Posh manager Darren Ferguson pointed to Charlton’s physical approach pre-match and he wasn’t wrong. It’s a style well-suited to the current pandemic of poor pitches.

The visitors certainly started the better with full-back Ian Maatsen firing just over from 30 yards before they took the lead from the spot in the 14th minute.

A free-kick from a central position was poorly defended, first by Frankie Kent, who inexplicably let the ball bounce, and then by Ethan Hamilton whose tug on Jason Pearce’s shirt prompted a theatrical fall and a positive response from referee Sam Purkiss.

Posh ‘keeper Christy Pym was cautioned for dissent before Conor Washington delivered a precise spot-kick into the corner.

Purkiss, who was woeful throughout, then appeared to forget his cards as Charlton committed numerous fouls to halt any chance of Posh progress.

Siriki Dembele and Jack Taylor did find themselves in shooting positions 20 yards from goal, but both shot weakly and straight at Charlton ‘keeper Ben Amos as the game deteriorated into a physical midfield battle.

Charlton started the second-half the better as Forster-Caskey’s low cross passed several potential targets and Chris Gunter headed badly over from a corner.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson promptly sent Harrison Burrows on and switched formation. The youngster was outstanding as Posh spread the play effectively.

It took some poor Charlton defending to get Posh on level terms as two centre-backs hesitated under a long ball. Clarke-Harris nipped in and headed Szmodics through. Saturday’s hero had been quiet up to then, but he finished superbly.

The last 20 minutes were very open, but the Posh subs worked better than Charlton’s. Posh looked fit and fresh and their feared front three then linked up to win the game.

Dembele’s dazzling footwork created space when there seemed to be none. Clarke-Harris picked his pass up and advanced before timing his pass to Szmodics perfectly. Again the finish was sublime.

And it was almost a 17-minute hat-trick for Szmodics as Dembele’s pass sent him through again late on, but Amos came out quickly to save well.

Posh saw out the final stages very impressively with the physical power of Clarke-Harris and the speed of Dembele both crucial.

The win took Posh to within three points of top spot.

Posh: Christy Pym, Dan Butler, Mark Beevers, Nathan Thompson, Frankie Kent, Idris Kanu (sub Harrison Burrows, 58 mins), Ethan Hamilton, Jack Taylor (sub Reece Brown, 64 mins), Sammie Szmodics, Siriki Dembele, Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Unused subs: Dan Gyollai, Niall Mason, Ryan Broom, Ricky-Jade Jones, Mo Eisa

Charlton: Ben Amos, Chris Gunter, Deji Oshilaja, Jason Pearce , Jake Forster-Caskey (sub Andrew Shinnie, 70 mins), Conor Washington (sub Ronnie Schwartz, 68 mins), Darren Pratley, Omar Bogle (sub Chuks Aneke, 68 mins), Ian Maatsen, Liam Millar (sub Jonny Williams, 77 mins), Paul Smyth (sub Alex Gilby, 77 mins).

Unused subs: Nathan Harness, Adam Matthews

Goals: Posh -Szmodics (67 mins & 78 mins).

Charlton - Washington (pen, 14 mins).

Cautions: Posh - Pym (dissent), Ferguson (manager, dissent), Kent (foul), Szmodics (dissent).

Charlton - Forster-Caskey (foul), Miller (foul), Smyth (foul), Pratley (foul).

Referee: Sam Purkiss 4