Mumba is just magic

By JON WEST at the Weston Homes Stadium

BALI MUMBA marked his Peterborough debut with a wonder FA Cup winner.

The on-loan Norwich defender’s super solo effort added to Sammie Szmodics’ opener after former Posh favourite Paul Coutts had fired League Two Rovers level from the spot.

It was the first senior goal for the 20-year-old (above) too.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson said: “He gave us energy, got the crowd up and scored a great goal with a great finish. He won us the game.”

Covid forced Bristol Rovers boss

Joey Barton to miss their first match since December 11 – and it was Championship strugglers Posh’s first game since December 18.

In the 20th minute Rovers keeper James Belshaw gifted Szmodics an opener. He tried to mop up Ronnie Edwards’ throughball but the forward – just onside – nipped in to poke it past him and find an empty net.

But Rovers were level on the half-hour when Antony Evans unleashed a shot that was off target moments before colliding with Posh keeper Dai Cornell. Despite the hosts’ protestations, referee Andy Davies pointed to the spot and Coutts sent Cornell the wrong way.

Mumba’s magic moment arrived in the 63rd minute. The half-time sub intercepted Evans’ loose pass, played a one-two with Szmodics, and showed great control to evade challengers in the box before slipping the home.

Brett Pitman had a late goal chalked off and Rovers coach Andy Mangan said: “We had a perfectly good goal disallowed which the referee got wrong.”

PETERBOROUGH: Cornell 6; Thompson 7, Knight 6, Edwards 7, Tomlinson 7 (Mumba 46, 8); Grant 6, Norburn 6, Burrows 7 (Clarkeharris 88); Taylor 6; Szmodics 7, Dembele 7 (Ricky-jady Jones 90).

Subs not used: Blackmore, Kent, Corbett, Joe Ward, Barker, Harris.

BRISTOL ROVERS: Belshaw 7; Hoole 7, Connolly 6, Anderton 6, Clarke 6 (Ryan Jones 64, 5); Coutts 7, Westbrooke 6; Thomas 6 (Edwardsstryjewski 90), Evans 7, Spence 6 (Pitman 69, 4); Nicholson 6.

Subs not used: Jed Ward, Martinez, Lawrence, Vaughan, Sesay.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Bali Mumba. Peterborough’s new recruit was only on the pitch for 45 minutes but shone nonetheless.

REFEREE: Andy Davies 4.