Peterborough United took a massive step closer to safety as they beat Blackpool on their beach of a pitch!
Blackpool 0 – 1 Peterborough United
Location: Bloomfield Road
Date: 16th March, 2013
Attendance: 13,037
With many results going against Posh, it was critical that Posh came home from the seaside with all three points. Posh knew it was going to be a battle even before setting off north as the Blackpool pitch is probably the worst pitch in the Championship, if not the League!
Blackpool were the better side in the first half and created a few chances but they rarely caused any problems for Posh keeper Bobby Olejnik. The dangerous pair of Tom Ince and Matt Phillips both had chances in the first half as Posh battled to come to terms with the pitch but Ince`s best chance was fired wide while Phillips had an effort excellently saved by Olejnik.
The Posh back-line have been battling well in recent weeks and they were the same in this match limiting the opposition to long range efforts while crosses were defended well or, if you are a Tangerines fan, disappointed that there was no one on the end of some of the dangerous crosses that came into the Posh box.
It wasn`t all one way traffic though in the first half as the Posh top scorer Dwight Gayle had the visitors first chance but his effort took a slight deflection and went wide for a corner. Loanee Jack Payne was given time and space to take advantage down the wing before cutting onto his right foot to unleash a shot that went just wide.
The first half was delayed for eight minutes after a collision between Barry Fergusons head and Isaish Osbournes foot with Ferguson coming off worst. Ferguson was eventually stretchered off with his neck in a brace but was fortunately released from hospital after being given the all clear.
Angel Martinez replaced the injured Ferguson and had a positive effect on the home side as they dominated possession. However, with the game about to enter into added Posh took the lead against the run of play. It was Jack Payne who put in a telling cross to the back post which was headed back across goal by Tommy Rowe to be met by the head of Kane FERDINAND [pictured below] for his first goal in Posh colours.
Half-time: Blackpool 0 – 1 Peterborough United
No changes were made by either side at half time as Paul Ince`s Blackpool looked to continue with their dominant possession while Posh were determined to put up another fight to keep hold of their lead.
However, Posh were more composed on the ball and started to frustrate their former Premiership hosts. Any dangerous threats from the home side were being snuffed out while causing more threats themselves going forward.
Lee Tomlin forced an acrobatic save from Gilks before another dangerous cross from the impressive Jack Payne saw Tommy Rowe head just wide. Posh were on a roll now and were looking dangerous every time they ventured forwards while battling away in defence.
Posh brought on Joe Newell and Nathanial Mendez-Laing either side of the 60 minute mark as they changed formation back to 4-4-2. They did suffer a major setback with 20 minutes remaining when Michael Bostwick picked up a hamstring injury and was replaced by Shaun Brisley.
Bostwick has been immense since dropping into the back four from midfield and hasn`t received the credit his performances have deserved. Hopefully he can make a complete recovery during the International break and return in time for the next match which is at home to table toppers Cardiff City.
It was a nerve-racking final 15 minutes as many teams around Posh were winning so it was vital Posh held onto their winning position. Both sides had chances which came to nothing and it was a good battling performance by the boys in the white Posh kit.
Full-time: Blackpool 0 – 1 Peterborough United
DON’T FORGET YOU CAN VOTE FOR YOUR MAN OF THE MATCH. You can cast your vote on the right hand side of the page. The result will be announced on Wednesday [20th March, 2013].
UP THE POSH!
Follow me on Twitter: @mwl1967
Photos courtesy of www.theposhpics.com.
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