PLAYER VERDICTS: Smith scoops sponsors' prize ahead of the Peterborough United substitutes
Right-back Michael Smith was a deserved winner of the sponsors' man-of-the-match champagne as Peterborough United were held to a 1-1 League One draw by Oldham at the ABAx Stadium today (March 18).
Smith almost scored in the early stages and looked an attacking threat from the right flank.
Midfielder Anthony Grant and substitutes Marcus Maddison and Junior Morias also performed with credit.
Mark Tyler: Beaten by a smart finish on Posh appearance number 496, but otherwise redundant 6
Michael Smith: Good effort by the Northern Irishman. Denied an early goal by a fine save and whipped in a few decent crosses that deserved more 7.5
Andrew Hughes: It was alarming to see opponents breeze past him a couple of times in the first-half. Won a few attacking set-piece headers, but had trouble diercting them on target. Substituted midway through the second-half 5
Jack Baldwin: His commitment to the cause is obvious, but my he takes chances in possession and when defending. One superb recovery tackle late on rescued his own misguided attempt to intercept a pass on the halfway line 5.5
Michael Bostwick: Back at centre-back, but the ball floated over his head for Oldham’s goal. He guarantees effort and big battling qualities and did okay thereafter 5.5
Anthony Grant: He cleared up a few messes on the edge of his own area. One terrific block late in the game and should be pleased with his performance on his return to the side 7
Chris Forrester: The workrate is okay, but he’s still way below his best form. In a first-half when Posh dominated possession it rarely seemed like the captain would play a killer ball. One fine pass that Inman miscontrolled was his best effort 5.5
Brad Inman: Quiet, still feeling his way into this side and this system. One senses there is some quality to come though 5.5
Paul Taylor: He was again the brightest spark for the opening half, although his decision-making/final ball wasn’t great. Off at half-time with an injury 6.5
Craig Mackail-Smith: Starved of service for the most part, although drew a decent stop and came close with a sliding effort in the first-half. Freed by a great Maddison pass after the break and although he stumbled and couldn’t get a shot away, he teed up Morias who missed 6
Tom Nichols: Never a threat to a rugged. well-organised defence. Substituted and his replacement was far more effective 5
Substitutes
Marcus Maddison: (for Taylor, 46 mins) He was far from perfect, but there was another high-class assist and he almost helped create a winning goal. Should always play 6.5
Junior Morias: (for Nichols, 60 mins) His energy and attitude improved Posh and he scored with a well-taken header. Missed the chance to win the game for Posh with an 18-yard sidefoot past a post 6
Jerome Binnom-Williams: (for Hughes, 65 mins) Sent on because of his pace and attacking strength. He didn’t show much of either 5
Harry Anderson: (not used)
Luke McGee: (not used).
Leo Da Silva Lopes: (not used).
Morgan Penfold: (not used).