Football League Youth Alliance

Merit League 1

Saturday 23rd February 2019

Kick Off 11.00 Actual 11.02

Peterborough United U18 1 Southend United U18 2, attendance 45

32’ 0-1

46’ 0-2 (pen)

75’ 1-2 (pen)

@ Mick George Training Academy

Nene Park Academy

Oundle Road

Orton Longueville

Peterborough

PE2 7EA

No Admission or Programme.

I hadn’t realised just how long ago it was that I last saw a youth match of Peterborough United. It was back on 19th September 1998, when I saw the U19’s draw 2-2 versus Liverpool. The match that day was played at ‘Woodlands’ in Splash Lane, Castor, but these days they have their own training ground, which is part of Nene Park Academy, although it is separated with mesh fencing and the grass pitches are only accessible through one gate, which is to the left hand side of the 3G caged pitch that is behind the changing room building.

There was no problem gaining access to watch the match, with spectators limited to watching along one side of the pitch only. For anyone who wants to watch the U16’s, who play their games on the 3G pitch, viewing is through the fence only.

Peterborough started off on top, but Southend were making the more clear cut chances. Indeed, it was the visitors who went ahead just after the half hour mark with an angled shot into the far corner of the net. They made it 0-2 when they were awarded a penalty less than 10 seconds into the second half, which was duly dispatched. Peterborough reduced the arrears with a penalty of their own, but Southend deservedly held on for the win.