July
Newsfile

Newsfile Archive

Report courtesy of www.theposh.com

Posh: Connor, Murray, Jelleyman (sub Lang 60min), Rea, MacDonald; Shields, Bullard, Hanlon, French; Lee (sub Lehtinen 45min), L.Clarke (sub Mckenzie 45min).

Cardiff City: Kendall, Thompson, Hughes, Jones, Brazier; Jeanne, Bonner, Evans (sub Fowler 79min), Brayson; Nugent, Gordon.

Star striker Leon McKenzie made a goalscoring on his return to action in a 1-1 draw with Cardiff City in an Avon Insurance Combination fixture at London Road. The hit man scored within ten minutes of coming on as a second half substitute to level the scores as Posh shared the spoils.

McKenzie’s strike partner Jason Lee was withdrawn at half-time after a satisfactory run out in a Posh line-up which also included Gareth Jelleyman and the impressive Simon Rea. Posh started the game well with Jason Lee winning his fair share of early headers and free-kicks in the attacking third but it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous going forward and it was no surprise when they broke the deadlock.

The goal came on the 17 minute mark, when Kevin NUGENT nodded home from close range, after Andy Thompson had hit the underside of the bar with a blistering 25-yard strike which Dan Connor could do nothing about.

Cardiff continued to press with Kevin Evans testing Connor with a curling effort that the Posh stopper palmed away, and Brayson should have done better with the rebound but he sidefooted into the side netting with the goal gaping.

Jimmy Bullard tried his luck on 35 minutes with a long range shot, but his low effort drifted wide of the left hand post. Daniel French went on a marauding run moments later when he skipped around two defenders but his cross-cum-shot failed to trouble Kendall in the City goal.

The fragile Posh defence was nearly exposed on 38 minutes when a weak MacDonald clearance fell at Evans’ feet but he failed to create an opening for Leon Jeanne and the danger passed.

A minute before the break, Lee had a chance from a well flighted Bullard corner, but the striker couldn’t keep his header down and the first half ended 1-0 to the visitors.

For the second half, manager Phil Chapple brought on Leon McKenzie and the former Crystal Palace hit man was quick into the action directing a header into the path of French who was caught in possession.

A quick free kick from Shields led to the best Posh chance of the game with Hanlon breaking through put his powerful shot was gathered by the City keeper.

Posh first team manager Barry Fry would have been delighted to see MCKENZIE level the scores on 55 minutes. The striker beat the offside trap and rounded the keeper before slotting home into the open goal to level the scores.

Posh’s other half time substitute Tony Lehtinen came close to scoring on 66 minutes but his drive from distance went past the post. The lively McKenzie was next to try his luck as Posh pressed for a winning goal but his first time volley went narrowly wide of the target.

McKenzie beat the offside trap once more on 75 minutes but he couldn’t find the back of the net after taking a heavy touch as he advanced around Kendall. Bullard came close moments later with a deflected strike as Posh pushed for victory and the points should have arrived following the resulting corner, McKenzie climbing highest at the back post, but his header was directed wide.