Posh lose to Parkgate 3-2

AN inspirational second-half display by Posh Ladies was not enough to seal their tie with Parkgate Ladies in the Midland Combination League.
A host of missed chances in the first-half cost the city side all three points as they were narrowly pipped 3-2 by their Yorkshire counterparts who are favourites to win the championship.
Posh missed chances galore in the first 15 minutes with KJ Hilson placing her shot wide from close range and within minutes the 15-year wasted another opportunity after being put in the clear.
A Helen Toms penalty on the half hour pulled the ladies back into contention after Parkgate had gone into an undeserved 2-0 lead but Posh suffered a further blow after a long ball caught them on the hop and went into the break 3-1 down.
Posh worked hard in the second-half to close their opponent’s game down and the midfield partnership of Kate Holmes and Caroline Woods looked invincible as they snuffed out any Parkgate attacks.
With Jenny Withers, pictured, and Hilson’s tireless running upfront, Posh forced Parkgate into errors but couldn’t find the killer touch despite creating countless opportunities to score.
Posh pulled one back on 70 minutes when a quick throw-in from Zoe Geldart found Maria Rudd and she curled in a right-wing cross that was met by Withers. The 26-year-old rose above her marker to head a wonder goal past the hapless Parkgate keeper.
Despite constant pressure on the Parkgate goal, including a late flurry where Posh should have levelled the tie, the scoreline remained 3-2.
Manager Maria Rudd, was pleased with her team’s performance.
She said: “We played Parkgate off the park but the difference in the two sides on the day was that in four shots on goal they scored three while we had 50 and scored two. They also boast the league’s top two goalscorers and at any level it’s the result that will be remembered.
“Our second-half performance alone was enough to have won many games this season and it goes to show when we put it together we are a very good side. "