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PETERBOROUGH UNITED 2 MIDDLESBROUGH 2
MATCH REPORT
ComeOnBoro.com, 28 Nov 2009
Tony McMahon replaced the suspended Rhys Williams at left back, while Gary O'Neil, sidelined with a groin strain meant that Mark Yeates made his first start under strachan.
Defender Exodus Geohagon, known for having a longer throw than Stoke's Rory Delap was handed his debut.
Peterborough United: Lewis; Zakuani (Lee 59), Griffiths, Geohagon, Bennett, Frecklington, Diagouraga, Boyd (Capt.), Rowe (Batt 66), Mclean, Mackail-Smith. Unused subs: McKeown (gk); Keates, Simpson, Green, Coutts.
Middlesbrough: Jones; Williams, St Ledger, Wheater, Pogatetz (Capt.), Yeates (Hoyte 75), Arca, Osbourne, Johnson, Lita, Kitson. Unused subs: Coyne (gk); Taylor, Riggott, Digard, Emnes, Bent.
Article Continues Below...
The First Half
Boro were rattled by Geohagon's throw ins and were consistently failing to match the Posh's work rate during the first ten minutes.
Play was scrappy, Brad Jones's fisted clearances were unconvicing and Boro were not pressing enough.
Highly rated lower league goalkeeper Joe Lewis made comfortable saves from both Leroy Lita and Adam Johnson around the eight minute mark. Johnson and Mark Yeates continued to switch wings.
A two man Boro wall looked nervous as 6'7 Geohagon moved into the box for a Peterborough free kick.
Boro need to stop conceding throw ins and free kicks as Peterborough are dangerous from set pieces.
George Boyd tested Jones with a low shot on 14 minutes.
The first real purposeful attack from Boro as Adam Johnson skipped down the wing to find Leroy Lita who forced a great save from Lewis after 20 minutes.
Johnson went for goal himself after 23 minutes when there were probably better options and shot wide, hitting the side netting.
Good work from Mark Yeates and Dave Kitson released Julio Arca who forced a reactionary dave from Lewis.
Peterborough 0 Boro 1 (Kitson, 27)
GOAL! Dave Kitson pounced on the rebound from Arca's shot and fired the ball into the net!
The goal gave Boro fresh impetus and we began to attack in earnest. A very good finish from David Wheater was unfortunately ruled offside due to Lita's infringement.
A real danger moment for Boro on 39 minutes Brad Jones came too far out of his goal it looked like it could have resulted in a penalty and a red for Jones but he did not allow Aaron Mclean to make contact as Mclean's shot sailed over the bar.
A minute of added time was allocated.
Peterborough were awarded a corner but Johnson was breaking away for a counter attack as the whistle blew for half time.
Boro showed more quality but Peterborough looked willing to work for the full 90 minutes. Geohagon's throw continued to cause us problems but Boro must get a second goal, and a third preferably to kill the game off!
The Second Half
No changes for either side as the second half got underway.
An unfair challenge on Johnson by Aaron Mclean.
Johnson's sizzling shot went just over the net after only four minutes into the second period as Boro showed we meant business.
Hot on the heels of Johnson's shot, Julio Arca released Leroy Lita who was only millimetres away with his header.
A late challenge on Johnson stopped the winger in his tracks and caused him some discomfort.
Lita tried another shot and forced another save from the very comfortable Joe Lewis. Boro were doing everything they could do make their most penetrative passage of play count.
Peterborough 1 Boro 1 (Boyd, 53)
GOAL! The Posh's captain, George Boyd, took advantage of some confusion amongst the Boro defence and found the net with aplomb.
Dave Kitson should have made it two just seconds later from close range but fired wide.
Peterborough 1 Boro 2 (Kitson, 57)
GOAL! Kitson made amends for his missed opportunity by heading home from a beautiful ball from the ever creative Adam Johnson.
Peterborough regroup by subbing Gabriel Zakuani for Charlie Lee.
Sean St Ledger made two clearances in quick succession as Peterborough tried to get themselves back into the game.
Another Posh sub as Shaun Batt replaced Tommy Rowe on the right on 66 minutes.
George Boyd and Aaron MClean in particular continued to put pressure on Boro but the game started to open up further as Posh tried to force something.
Mark Yeates was subbed for Justin Hoyte on 74 minutes.
Peterborough 2 Boro 2 (Batt,75)
GOAL! An absolute wonder goal from substitute Shaun Batt. Brad Jones had no chance and Batt was booked for his celebration.
Adam Johnson continued to cause Peterborough problems but Lewis was once again equal to his cross.
Boro had a strong penalty claim denied after a foul on Sean St Ledger in the area, the referee's assistant was in an excellent position and it should have been given.
Peterborough's Toumani Diagouraga shot wide on 82 minutes, shortly before Leroy Lita was penalised for a handball.
Three minutes of extra time was indicated.
Johnson was determined to fashion a winning goal for Boro and continued to deliver crosses into the box but in the end it was to no avail and the match finished 2-2 to the delight of the Peterborough fans.
The majority of possession and meaningful attempts did not help Boro close out the game.
We, or rather Strachan, needs to decide on a back four line up and stick to it as we still do not have a settled defence and it shows in the mistakes and lack of communication.
Peterborough did well to come from behind twice and Batt's goal was unstoppable but Boro should be coming home with three points.
Man of the Match - For the goals he scored and the other two chances he fashioned, if not finished, Dave Kitson.
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