Posh beaten at Furze Lane
Cole Kpekawa’s first half header was enough to secure victory for Pompey Reserves against Peterborough at Furze Lane.
The Blues fielded a largely youthful side for the Final Third Development League clash, with Conor Chaplin impressing throughout.
It was the visitors who were first to threaten in the opening seconds, with Michael Poke getting down quickly to beat away an effort from Leonardo Da Silva-Lopes.
And in a half of very few clear-cut chances, Kpekawa then fired in a shot that flew high and wide of Dion Henry’s goal.
Chaplin did look dangerous whenever he got on the ball, though, and ended one fine run with a strike that missed the target.
But the Blues did break the deadlock on 18 minutes, with KPEKAWA rising highest in the box to head home a Ben Close corner.
Poke then did well acting as a makeshift sweeper to rob Charles Weston-Hayles as the Peterborough striker tried to get his side back on level terms.
Pompey were still trying to forge further ahead, though, and good work from Close and Brandon Haunstrup ended with the latter firing into the side netting.
And Brandon Joseph-Buadi forced a save from Henry after another dazzling run from Chaplin had been halted.
But Poke made a fine stop to preserve their advantage, denying Weston-Hayles from point-blank range, with the hosts somehow getting the ball clear during the ensuing scramble in their box.
Half Time: Pompey 1 Peterborough 0
Pompey showed plenty of attacking intent at the start of the second half and Joseph-Buadi sent a low ball into the box that managed to evade all of his team-mates.
And the visitors were also forced into some desperate defending to prevent Kaleem Haitham from converting Haunstrup’s teasing cross.
Chaplin was proving a menace and it took a crude challenge from Liam Marshall to end a run from the Blues forward that had taken him past four players.
He was the architect for another chance moments later, with Henry forced into action to keep out a Joseph-Buadi effort.
Peterborough were camped inside their own half, but broke menacingly on the hour mark and Weston-Hayles fired wide.
Poke then made his second superb save of the afternoon to prevent Keano Robinson’s close-range shot from crossing the line.
And in a whirlwind spell, Pompey broke up the other end of the pitch and Joseph-Buadi stuck the post.
There were no more scares for either side in the closing stages, however, as the Blues held on for all three points.
Pompey: Poke; Davies (Yates 75), Ertl (c), Granger (Rwakarambwe 61), Kpekawa; May (Oxlade-Chamberlain 67), Close; Haitham, Chaplin, Haunstrup; Joseph-Buadi
Subs not used: Bass, Sayers
Peterborough: Henry; Robinson, Maslen-Jones, Marshall, Luto; Da Silva-Lopes, Keating, Hood, Adebayo-Rowling; Friend (Lee 67), Weston-Hayles
Subs not used: Ravas, Humphrey, Ford
Referee: Matthew Lee