Peterborough United traveled to non-league St Albans for a friendly which both teams found useful as Posh fielded a mixture of their new recruits, players returning from injury and fringe players while St Albans had a variety of first team players, fringe players and triallists. Posh also named a certain Darren Ferguson in the starting line-up!!
Sinclair was a livewire from the start and only some last ditch defending and excellent goalkeeping stopping the Posh newcomer to a debut goal.
Danny Kearns was also looking lively on his debut and hit the St Albans woodwork following good work from Sinclair who used his pace to get behind the backline.
Nicky Ajose who is returning from a hamstring injury also went close as Posh continued to pile on the pressure.
It was typical Posh though, after having had the majority of play, they fell behind on 25 minutes when Haule bravely headed past Joe Lewis, who himself was returning from the knee injury he sustained in the first leg of last seasons Play-Off semi-final. Haule was substituted moments after the goal as he appeared to be slightly concussed following the challenge on him from which he scored.
Despite this setback, Posh continued to press the opposition and they deservedly got the equalizer when a swift attack saw Ben Gordon and Ajose combine to set up Joe Newell who cut inside at the far post and fire his shot into the back of the net.
St Albans did have their opportunities though and a smart block from Josh Thompson denied Da Silva a shot on target. Bent`s long range effort on the Posh goal was denied by Lewis. These were the rare occasions St Albans had on the night to attack Posh as they spent most of the time defending.
Danny Kearns again almost got his name on the scoresheet but this time his effort was cleared off the line by Cutchey.
Half-time: St Albans 1- 1 Posh
Posh started the second half the way they`d finished by attacking St Albans and within moments, they got what they deserved; a second goal. This time both Sinclair and Ajose had efforts blocked, but debutant Danny Kearns made no mistake by slotting home from close range.
The woodwork came to St Albans rescue yet again on 63 minutes after good work from Kearns had supplied Sinclair.
The second half resembled the first in many respects with Posh dominating possession and St Albans only rarely creating chances themselves. One of the few chances they did create almost provided them with a second goal, but this time Jinadu`s effort hit the Posh woodwork on 68 minutes.
On numerous occasions, Sinclair showed the St Albans defence a clean pair of boots as he raced clear of them but he couldn`t find the back of the net. However, the referee did spot an infringement when Sinclair had burst through the defence as he awarded Posh a penalty which was coolly slotted away by Nicky Ajose.
Although St Albans hit the woodwork again, no further goals were scored by either side.
Full-time: St Albans 1- 3 Posh
For Posh, it was a very worthwhile run out as it gave Posh the chance to see their new recruits in action. Sinclair was a constant menace and his speed caused no end of problems for the opposition. If only he could convert the chances when through on goal – Now where have I heard that before??!?
Danny Kearns also impressed on his debut and celebrated it with a goal while it was nice to see a proper left back at left back!
Darren Ferguson now faces a very tough decision as his squad is now better than last time Posh were in the Championship. With the capture of Sinclair and Kearns in the past week, there is real competition in the squad and there will be some disappointed players each week who don`t get selected in the 16 man squad for each game.
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