Posh 3 - 0 Brentford

Attendance 4868

By Tony H


Posh find themselves 5th in the table after putting the misery of Colchester behind them and putting in the most positive of performances in front of yet another dreadful London Road crowd.

Ok, Brentford were rubbish, but Posh have a tendancy to lose to rubbish.

Posh lined up with the usual 352/343 system that has served them reasonably well, but within 5 minutes, Bobby Gould has spotted a weakness in the Brentford line up and switched to 442, with Kennedy and Newton reverting to full backs and Legg moving up to left wing, Faz to the right. And what an impact it made! Andy Legg was like an 18 year old playing for a move to Real Madrid, he was everywhere, whilst up front big Clive Platt was reminding Sven that he still has options for picking the big man (!!!!). Platt has been a revelation this season, with some action packed displays, and he terrorosed Brentfords defence from the off until he tired as the game wore on, but by then the damage had been done.

There was some delicious football too after the first 15 minutes when Posh were feeling their way a little, and too many balls went back to front too quick, but Platt was doing an outstanding job in holding it up. In one outstanding move, he held it up with 3 defenders around him, played in Legg down the left who delivered a superb cross to the back post where platt had arrived on cue and his header found its way untidyly into the net with Woodhouse on hand for a tap in if necessary.

Mr Woodhouse decided to turn in a midfield masterclass at last this season, and with Thompson anchoring the central areas to good effect, Woodhouse was allowed to push on, and he dictated the game with some nice passing, runs from deep and ferocious tackling. He particularly enjoyed getting stuck in to ex-Cobbler Hargreaves, who was looking like a rabbit caught in the headlights as first Woodhouse and then Thompson left him in a heap on the floor.

Another brisk and incisive move should have brought the second. Clarke hassled in midfield and played a fantastic defence splitting ball down the right onto Farrells intelligent run, and Faz played a superb first time ball onto the onrushing Woodhouse who didnt hesitate in unleashing a rasping left foot volley which flew narrowly wide.

Brentford had a spell of pressure and Posh started to go back into the horrible everyone behind the ball mode, but Rea and Ireland were far too imposing for the lightweight Brentford front line, including Deon Burton who spent the afternoon getting his ex-premier league backsided kicked by the unbeatable Simon Rea.

Kennedy made one superbly timed last ditch tackle as Brentford looked like an undeserved equaliser but that and a Hargreaves snapshot that whilsted over were as close as they came to worrying the in form Tyler.

The second half was a pleasure to watch, and within a minute of the restart Posh were 2 up. Faz did what he does on the wing and delivered the ball into the box, where the Bees defence were so concerned about Platt that they forgot to pick up Legg at the back post who poked the ball home for his first ever posh goal. Legg was enjoying himself, and playing some fine football as well.

Wooshouse took centre stage now, and was untouchable. He produced a fine range of skills and range of passing, and was unlucky not to get a goal himself with a couple of goalbound shots that were blocked as Brentford defended for their lives. However the third goal was inevitable, and after Platts goalbound bullet header from a Kennedy cross was brilliantly tipped over, Posh wrapped it up. Kennedy can deliver a mean left wing cross and he put in a superb early ball for Clarke to rise and arrow a header into the far corner from the penalty spot. How Brentford must hate to see Andy Clarkes name on the teamsheet.

Fry decided to give some squad players a run out, and Clarke was replaced by Constantine, who looked lively but didnt really threaten the goal, Thompson was replaced by Sonner who looks a very accomplished player indeed despite his 80s haircut, and Legg took a deserved break for a rare appearance from young Ryan Semple.

Semple soon got into the action and his wonderful right wing cross was missed by everyone somehow, but there was panic in the Bees defence again and the ball came back to Semple on the halfway line. The youngster looked up and spotted the keeper a long way off his line and did whats known as a "Beckham", only on this occassion he was unlucky to see the ball land on the roof of the net. What a moment.

Faz switched to the left, his prefered position, and began to show how useful he is with some mazey dribbles and strong runs. All Brentford could do was hack him down, and Posh should have taken the free kick opportunities to extend the lead, but it wasnt to be.

John Salako was apparantly playing in the Bees side, but was totally anonymous and was subbed in the second half. Burton had had enough of the kicking Rea and Ireland were giving him and simply gave up. Welcome to London Road Deon.

The ref drew the game to a close fortunately for Martin Allen, who looked as if he was about to explode. I have rarely seen such an animated managerial performance at London Road. Allen seemed to kick every ball, make every tackle and argue every decision from the dugout. Maybe he should take a leaf out of Frys book, and learn how to chill out a little.


TONYS MARKS:

Tyler 7 - little to do but made the right decision every time

Newton 7 - quiet but effective at right back. Came into the game for the last half hour.

Kennedy 8 - superb delivery from the left and another polished performance.

Ireland 7 - recovered well from last weeks niughtmare to dominate in the air again.

Rea 8 - won everything that came his way, a strong showing

Farrell 7 - quiet first half on the right, but woke up when put back on to his natural left side.

Thompson 8 - a lot of unseen work and closed the opposition down to good effect. Playing very well right now.

Woodhouse 8 - bossed the midfield, courtesy of his partners dominance in the tackle. Impressive effort.

Legg 9 - man of the match in a fantastic performance on the left wing before he was subbed. A revelation.

Platt 8 - powerful and dominant, and scoring goals at last too. Could become a huge player for us this season.

Clarke 7 - battled hard but isnt quite reading Platts headers as yet. Useful squad player and cover for injured forwards.

SUBS

Constantine 6 - didnt threaten enough but looked lively

Semple 8 - looked very exciting in the short time he was given

Sonner 7 - didnt give it away, experienced pro.

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