From Zero To Hero Peterborough United 2

A second half turn-around and a dramatic last minute penalty save from Joe Lewis kept Peterborough Uniteds automatic promotion hopes alive.Darren Ferguson continued to favour his diamond formation. Mark Little returned to the starting line-up at right back whilst David Ball and Craig Mackail-Smith remained Fergusons strike partnership of choice. Peter Reid set-up his side in a formation that matched Poshs. Carl Fletcher protected the back-line with Kari Arnason breaking forward to support the two strikers, Yannick Bolasie and Rory Fallon.Plymouth may be a team fighting for their lives but it would have been easy for the players to have an excuse for not being motivated: they have not been paid since December such is the financial crisis at the club. Yet, the away side started the brighter. Moving the ball around swiftly they were causing problems and Posh were struggling to find space with both teams playing fairly narrow systems. Peterborough were almost made to pay for this sluggish start, perhaps as a result of complacency despite many of the squad insisting that every game is a cup final, when Grant McCann was caught in po se sion on the edge of his area by Bolasie before the mercurial attacking player struck his shot wide . This was an early warning side this Plymouth side were Yoenis Cespedes Jersey not about to roll-over, they were fully prepared to battle but Posh did not take heed. When a corner wasnt fully cleared the ball fell to Stephane Zubar, brother of Wolves defender Ronald, who smashed an effort goalwards. With Lewis beaten it appeared to be heading into the back of the net but Matt Harvey Jersey a fantastic defensive block by Ryan Bennett prevented the divisions bottom club from taking an early lead. The danger wasnt over yet though and from the resulting set-piece Rory Fallon found space at the front post but his flicked header landed on top of the net. Plymouths system was working to perfection and limiting Poshs attacking threat that had seen them score 94 league goals, and more than 100 in all competitions, up to now. With very little space to play Posh had struggled and their usual zest and tempo was not evident. Instead the pa sing was sloppy, the movement slow and the visitors were seizing the upper-hand. Plymouth may have been the club fighting relegation but from the evidence so far it seemed as if the table should have been reversed Posh were looking like a team battling against the drop. A solitary George Boyd strike from range was about as much as Posh had created in the opening half-hour.Indeed, only a brilliant bit of defending from Mark Little prevented the visitors from taking the lead. The right-back, who can be slack in his defensive duties at times, flicked a curling Arnason cro s out for a corner with Bolasie waiting to provide the finishing touches. A front post corner had already caused Posh problems and Plymouth were not about to change their set-piece routine this time round. Again, poor Jeurys Familia Jersey marking from Posh allowed Fallon to flick a header goalwards but the ball, for the second time in the match, went inches over and landed on the top of the net.Argyle had provided all the attacking endeavour so far and they were rewarded for their dominant first half performance in the 38th minute. George Boyd felt he was fouled by the corner flag, doing his defensive duties, but referee Nigel Miller was not convinced and Boyd retaliated making a rash tackle on Jim Paterson. Two corners had proved problematic so far so Boyds ill-discipline was a rash decision and he was made to pay for it in the harshest way po sible. CARL FLETCHER was allowed to run to the front-post, something Posh should have reacted to by now, and Paterson spotted him firing in a low cro s that was diverted goalwards by Fletcher with the ball creeping over the line beyond a despairing Joe Lewis who had no chance with the effort. Plymouths lead may have been a surprising one but few could have argued that it wasnt deserved. They had out-competed, out-thought and out-played Posh up until this point.An immediate reaction was needed, Posh invariably score but up to now they hadnt threatened. Mackail-Smith charged forward, trying to drive on his team, but his shot was pushed out by David Button who was at full-stretch. It was the last action of an abject first-half from the hosts. The half-time whistle was greeted with boos from large sections of the home crowd, undeserved considering the league position that Peterborough currently occupy, but the performance had not been that of a promotion chasing side. A much improved one was needed in the second half.MAKING AMENDS: Joe Lewis produced some magnificentsaves to keep Poshs lead in-tact.Ferguson reacted to this too. Bringing on Lee Tomlin to play on the apex of the diamond, George Boyd dropped back to the left prong to add some much needed attacking impetus. Yet, the opening of the second half wasnt particularly encouraging. Posh had attacked with slightly more pace but it still wasnt clicking like it had on so many times to devastating effect on numerous times before this season.Posh are always a good bet to score though, even when not in full-flow, and when Grant McCann floated over a wonderfully crafted cro s it landed straight on RYAN BENNETTS head. The defender still had some work to do but he positioned his body to loop a header over the top of Nolan Ryan Jersey Button and into the top corner of the net. Plymouth complained vociferously to the referee, feeling aggrieved after he had chosen not to stop play for Rory Fallon David Wright Jersey who was injured in the box but, as is so often reiterated, it is up to the players to stop play unle s the injury is particularly severe. The goal provided Posh a foot-hold they probably didnt deserve but it was now up to them to force the result. A draw didnt favour either side which both desperately in need of wins in the final few games of the season. Poshs momentum was driving them forward but as a result they were also leaving gaps at the back. Gaps that have been exploited on many times this season and they were almost punished again. Charlie Lee was sluggish in getting back and allowed Bolasie to create a one-on-one opportunity against Gaby Zakuani, he rounded him and found himself inside the area with only Ryan Bennett to beat, checking inside he found a yard of space and hit a well struck shot goalwards only for the out-stretched arm of Lewis to palm the ball away.Blue shirts were piling forward now. It was the Posh of old. Quick, slick pa sing with movement that was causing the Plymouth defence all sorts of problems. Mark Little epitomised this new found belief. Charging down the right flank he broke free of his marker before cutting the ball back to CRAIG MACKAIL-SMITH who lashed the ball home beyond Button and into the net. The game had turned. This is the ability Posh hav

S E E D E D   C O N T E N T

A second half turn-around and a dramatic last minute penalty save from Joe Lewis kept Peterborough Uniteds automatic promotion hopes alive.Darren Ferguson continued to favour his diamond formation. Mark Little returned to the starting line-up at right back whilst David Ball and Craig Mackail-Smith remained Fergusons strike partnership of choice. Peter Reid set-up his side in a formation that matched Poshs. Carl Fletcher protected the back-line with Kari Arnason breaking forward to support the two strikers, Yannick Bolasie and Rory Fallon.Plymouth may be a team fighting for their lives but it would have been easy for the players to have an excuse for not being motivated: they have not been paid since December such is the financial crisis at the club. Yet, the away side started the brighter. Moving the ball around swiftly they were causing problems and Posh were struggling to find space with both teams playing fairly narrow systems. Peterborough were almost made to pay for this sluggish start, perhaps as a result of complacency despite many of the squad insisting that every game is a cup final, when Grant McCann was caught in po se sion on the edge of his area by Bolasie before the mercurial attacking player struck his shot wide . This was an early warning side this Plymouth side were Yoenis Cespedes Jersey not about to roll-over, they were fully prepared to battle but Posh did not take heed. When a corner wasnt fully cleared the ball fell to Stephane Zubar, brother of Wolves defender Ronald, who smashed an effort goalwards. With Lewis beaten it appeared to be heading into the back of the net but Matt Harvey Jersey a fantastic defensive block by Ryan Bennett prevented the divisions bottom club from taking an early lead. The danger wasnt over yet though and from the resulting set-piece Rory Fallon found space at the front post but his flicked header landed on top of the net. Plymouths system was working to perfection and limiting Poshs attacking threat that had seen them score 94 league goals, and more than 100 in all competitions, up to now. With very little space to play Posh had struggled and their usual zest and tempo was not evident. Instead the pa sing was sloppy, the movement slow and the visitors were seizing the upper-hand. Plymouth may have been the club fighting relegation but from the evidence so far it seemed as if the table should have been reversed Posh were looking like a team battling against the drop. A solitary George Boyd strike from range was about as much as Posh had created in the opening half-hour.Indeed, only a brilliant bit of defending from Mark Little prevented the visitors from taking the lead. The right-back, who can be slack in his defensive duties at times, flicked a curling Arnason cro s out for a corner with Bolasie waiting to provide the finishing touches. A front post corner had already caused Posh problems and Plymouth were not about to change their set-piece routine this time round. Again, poor Jeurys Familia Jersey marking from Posh allowed Fallon to flick a header goalwards but the ball, for the second time in the match, went inches over and landed on the top of the net.Argyle had provided all the attacking endeavour so far and they were rewarded for their dominant first half performance in the 38th minute. George Boyd felt he was fouled by the corner flag, doing his defensive duties, but referee Nigel Miller was not convinced and Boyd retaliated making a rash tackle on Jim Paterson. Two corners had proved problematic so far so Boyds ill-discipline was a rash decision and he was made to pay for it in the harshest way po sible. CARL FLETCHER was allowed to run to the front-post, something Posh should have reacted to by now, and Paterson spotted him firing in a low cro s that was diverted goalwards by Fletcher with the ball creeping over the line beyond a despairing Joe Lewis who had no chance with the effort. Plymouths lead may have been a surprising one but few could have argued that it wasnt deserved. They had out-competed, out-thought and out-played Posh up until this point.An immediate reaction was needed, Posh invariably score but up to now they hadnt threatened. Mackail-Smith charged forward, trying to drive on his team, but his shot was pushed out by David Button who was at full-stretch. It was the last action of an abject first-half from the hosts. The half-time whistle was greeted with boos from large sections of the home crowd, undeserved considering the league position that Peterborough currently occupy, but the performance had not been that of a promotion chasing side. A much improved one was needed in the second half.MAKING AMENDS: Joe Lewis produced some magnificentsaves to keep Poshs lead in-tact.Ferguson reacted to this too. Bringing on Lee Tomlin to play on the apex of the diamond, George Boyd dropped back to the left prong to add some much needed attacking impetus. Yet, the opening of the second half wasnt particularly encouraging. Posh had attacked with slightly more pace but it still wasnt clicking like it had on so many times to devastating effect on numerous times before this season.Posh are always a good bet to score though, even when not in full-flow, and when Grant McCann floated over a wonderfully crafted cro s it landed straight on RYAN BENNETTS head. The defender still had some work to do but he positioned his body to loop a header over the top of Nolan Ryan Jersey Button and into the top corner of the net. Plymouth complained vociferously to the referee, feeling aggrieved after he had chosen not to stop play for Rory Fallon David Wright Jersey who was injured in the box but, as is so often reiterated, it is up to the players to stop play unle s the injury is particularly severe. The goal provided Posh a foot-hold they probably didnt deserve but it was now up to them to force the result. A draw didnt favour either side which both desperately in need of wins in the final few games of the season. Poshs momentum was driving them forward but as a result they were also leaving gaps at the back. Gaps that have been exploited on many times this season and they were almost punished again. Charlie Lee was sluggish in getting back and allowed Bolasie to create a one-on-one opportunity against Gaby Zakuani, he rounded him and found himself inside the area with only Ryan Bennett to beat, checking inside he found a yard of space and hit a well struck shot goalwards only for the out-stretched arm of Lewis to palm the ball away.Blue shirts were piling forward now. It was the Posh of old. Quick, slick pa sing with movement that was causing the Plymouth defence all sorts of problems. Mark Little epitomised this new found belief. Charging down the right flank he broke free of his marker before cutting the ball back to CRAIG MACKAIL-SMITH who lashed the ball home beyond Button and into the net. The game had turned. This is the ability Posh hav