Peterborough United strikers hit the ground running in opening friendly win

Peterborough United’s belief that they have found a new ‘dream team’ strike force was given a boost today as Ivan Toney and club record signing Mo Eisa both scored in a 2-0 friendly win over Scottish Premier League side St Mirren (July 6).
Ivan Toney scoring against St Mirren. Photo: Joe DentIvan Toney scoring against St Mirren. Photo: Joe Dent
Ivan Toney scoring against St Mirren. Photo: Joe Dent

Toney, top scorer last season with 22 goals, and Eisa, a £1.3 million-ish capture from Bristol City in the summer, were paired together in the first-half team and struck an immediate understanding by combining for a fifth-minute goal.

Eisa’s strong run and cross was tapped home by Toney to give Posh the perfect start in La Manga in front of a handful of boisterous Posh fans and a couple of playing legends in Gordon Strachan and Kenny Dalglish.

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Eisa doubled the advantage on the half hour after fine work on the breakaway by Louis Reed and Idris Kanu and that completed the scoring, although chances came and went for both sides.

Mark Beevers in action against St Mirren. Photo: Joe DentMark Beevers in action against St Mirren. Photo: Joe Dent
Mark Beevers in action against St Mirren. Photo: Joe Dent

Eisa saw a first-half shot well saved by the St Mirren goalkeeper, while Siriki Dembele suffered the same fate after the break following a terrific cross from Dan Butler.

Kanu’s fine display included creating a great opportunity for Toney that the big striker sidefooted wide.

St Mirren managed to hit the woodwork three times, the last time in the closing stages thanks to Posh ‘keeper Conor O’Malley’s fingertips.

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Posh changed their line-up completely at the break. They played 4-4-2 with young Harrison Burrows at left-back in the first-half before switching to 3-4-1-2 after the break when the tream defended very solidly. Jason Naismith played at centre-back in that team.

Posh first-half: Christy Pym, Niall Mason, Frankie Kent, Mark Beevers, Harrison Burrows, Idris Kanu, Louis Reed, Mark O’Hara, Serhat Tasdemir, Mo Eisa, Ivan Toney.

Posh second-half: Conor O’Malley, Frazer Blake-Tracy, Rhys Bennett, Jason Naismith, Dan Butler, Alex Woodyard, Kyle Barker, Joe Ward, Siriki Dembele, George Cooper, Matt Godden.