Posh were expecting a tricky tie in this Cup match with Rovers only having lost once in their last eight matches but in truth they never put up a fight!
Were Rovers expecting the worst after suffering a 5-0 defeat at home to Posh earlier in the season?
Fans were raving over the performance which in truth wasn`t spectacular but it was a very professional performance against a very poor side in front of a very poor attendance.
The match didn`t really get going until Britt Assombalonga scored the first goal. Prior to that, the match, at times, resembled a poor match between two mid-table League Two sides!
It may sound strange to many, but the change in tempo could`ve been when loanee Hogan Ephraim went off injured and was replaced by Danny Swanson. Swanson was always buzzing around looking for the ball and making himself available.
Assombalonga`s first strike came just ten minutes after Swanson`s arrival after being fed by the impressive Lee Tomlin while Shaun Jeffers, a shock starter, notched goal number two in the dying moments of the first half when he pounced at the back post after a Tomlin corner was flicked on by Shaun Brisley, who was also outstanding in the air all game.
As the game wore on, Posh seemed to get better and better and looked like the side we know they are but at the same time, Rovers confidence was getting lower and lower.
Danny Swanson set up Assombalonga`s second goal but it was his third goal that was the goal of the game. The goal was similar to the goal Nathaniel Mendez-Laing scored against Shrewsbury Town which won the Vital Posh October Goal of the Month.
Shaun Jeffers had the final say in the match though as he finished a low cross from Michael Bostwick, who had reverted to right-back in the second half when Mark Little was replaced.
Overall, it was a hugely better performance than in recent weeks but we shouldn`t get carried away. Rovers were probably the worst side that have visited London Road this season but we have to hope we have finally turned the corner and got out bad patch out of the way.
Player Ratings
Bobby Olejnik
Faced two shots all match but neither were on target. Could’ve had the day off!
Mark Little
Recovered from last weeks injury and was a constant menace going forward. Replaced in second half to ensure injury wasn’t aggravated.
Michael Bostwick
Usual commanding prescence as centre-back and a threat going forward. Had a number of efforts and set-up Shaun Jeffers for the fifth goal.
Shaun Brisley
Commanding in the air and looking to be a good partner for Bostwick.
Kgosi Ntlhe
Possibly Kgosi’s best game this season. Was a threat going forward and was rarely troubled defensively.
Grant McCann
A rare start for McCann but he showed us all what we’ve been missing in recent weeks. A commanding performance at the base of the midfield diamond.
Jermaine Anderson
Similar to Ntlhe in that this was Anderson’s best performance since breaking into the starting XI in recent weeks. He’s not spectacular but he’s doing the basics right and this match will give him confidence.
Hogan Ephraim
Still unsure about Ephraim. For a winger he is dead slow and doesn’t offer that much threat going forward. He was replaced midway through the first half after picking up an injury.
Lee Tomlin
Tomlin is back to his best! Ran the show at the tip of the diamond and seemed to enjoy his partnership with the new front pairing.
Britt Assombalonga
Britt has been up and down since coming to Posh at the start of the season but seemed to hit it off with new strike partner Shaun Jeffers. Bagged the match ball for his hattrick.
Shaun Jeffers
A surprise starting selection but it paid off. Plenty of energy and promise. He linked up well with Britt and Tomlin and was a constant menace to the Rovers back line. Fully deserved the two goals.
Danny Swanson
Came on in the first half for Posh and his buzzing around certainly helped Posh up their tempo.
He set-up Assombalonga’s second goal.
Nat Knight-Percival
Came on for Mark Little and went into the centre-back position alongside Brisley. He played well and snuffed out what little threat Rovers had.
Again proved he should be used as an impact sub. A threat going forward with his speed.
UP THE POSH! Follow me on Twitter: @mwl1967
Photos courtesy of www.theposhpics.com.
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