Boyd to the Rescue

Peterborough extended their unbeaten run in the league to thirteen games, and won for the fourth time in November as they defeated Colchester 2-1 at London Road today.

Craig Mackail-Smith fired home his 14th goal of the season on the stroke of half time, after 45 minutes of a relatively even game. An equaliser from former Posh striker Clive Platt on the hour mark looked set to leave the final half hour to be a nervy one for the home fans.

But Posh rallied and were back in front just moments later, after a Gabriel Zakuani header was saved by the keeper George Boyd was there to finish the rebound and give Peterborough the victory that keeps them in 5th place in the League One table.

Colchester surprised one or two with their start to the game in which they created a few chances, Mark Yeates inparticular coming close for the visitors. The home side struggled to get into their usual flowing football style, only half chances from Mackail-Smith and Charlie Lee got the supporters excited early on.

It was in first half stoppage time that the only real piece of quality took place through who else but George Boyd and Craig Mackail-Smith. Boyd picked out Mackail-Smith with an outstanding pass, and the clubs leading scorer took full advantage of the ball by calmly finishing past the helpless Dean Gerken in the Colchester goal.

Clive Platt levelled with one of his trademark headers after a David Perkins cross. (although we didn’t see many of his “trademark headers” in his time at London Road)

Moments after the goal Ferguson made a double substitution, taking off Sergio Torres and Charlie Lee, and bringing on Shaun Batt, and debutant Andrew Crofts who has signed on loan from Gillingham this week.

Within seconds of the substitutes taking to the field Peterborough retook the lead through George Boyd, who scored his 7th of the season. Dean Keates floated a wonderful cross to the back post where Zakuani thought he was going to score his first goal for the club, only to be denied by the keeper. Fortunately, the “White Pele” was there on hand to put away the rebound and the 7000 Posh fans in the ground duly celebrated what turned out to be the match winner.

The result has to go down as one of huge importance, especially after seeing the other results in the league today. Leicester, MK Dons and Leeds all picked up wins today, but ground has been made up on both Millwall, who drew 0-0, and Scunthorpe, who were defeated by Leicester.

Peterborough’s next game is on Tuesday night as they travel to Swindon, who were denied all three points today away at Bristol Rovers with a last minute equaliser for the home side.

Today’s Teams

Peterborough

Lewis, Martin, Williams, Morgan, Zakuani, Torres (Batt), Boyd, Lee (Crofts), Keates, Mackail-Smith, Mclean. Subs not used – Mckeown, Westwood, Coutts.

Colchester

Gerken, White (Hills) (Wordsworth), Heath (Ifil), Baldwin, Jackson, Yeates, Izzet, Hammond, Perkins, Platt, Easter. Subs not used – Cousins, Vernon.

Attendance – 7,401