Seventh heaven for Posh
FERGUSON’S GLORY HUNTERS BURY SORRY STANLEY
DARREN FERGUSON’S dreams came true as his Peterborough side recorded their biggest win in 14 years – with Jonson Clarke-Harris grabbing a hat-trick.
This was a massive statement of intent from Posh with Sammie Szmodics also starring with a brace, and subs Mo Eisa and Idris Kanu adding gloss.
They maintained their place in the top two and on this evidence will go up regardless of what rivals Hull and Sunderland do.
But for Stanley this was a record loss since re-entering the Football League in 2006.
Peterborough boss Ferguson (below) said: “I am delighted. What a magnificent performance from my team.
“We had a great start and we just carried it on. If ever you could dream a game the night before, that would be it. A real strong performance from my team, clinical, ruthless, I am delighted for them to a man.
“It was a case of how many. It is like four points today, as we’re level on goals with Sunderland now and only four behind Hull on goal difference. To score seven goals and to win like that, it is an important message to my players, to give them that belief.
“We have had a good few days and I know it sounds like something to say after a win like that, but I genuinely felt we’d win well.”
Posh set the pattern from the off with Joe Ward hitting the post from 30 yards inside 45 seconds.
But they led after three minutes as Clarke-Harris pounced on slack defending to convert Ward’s cross.
And just six minutes later it was as good as game over as Clarke-Harris scored on the rebound after his effort and one from Harrison Burrows were both saved.
United made it three on 23 minutes as impressive Szmodics was given the freedom of Cambridgeshire to waltz his way past poor Accrington defending.
Szmodics scored a fourth three minutes into the second half after brushing off Cameron Burgess.
Then Clarke-Harris completed his hat-trick – and 27th goal of the season – after Michael Nottingham failed to stop Ward’s cross.
Peterborough’s subs enjoyed themselves late on as Eisa netted off Szmodics’ 78th-minute pass and Kanu deflected in Niall Mason’s free-kick five minutes later.
Deflated Accrington boss John Coleman, who also saw his side lose 8-2 at Posh in 2008, said: “It’s unfortunate there’s no Premier League or Championship football to bury this result.” PETERBOROUGH: Pym 6; Thompson 7 (Mason 67, 7), Kent 7, Beevers 7, Butler 7; Ward 9 (Kanu 72, 7), Brown 7 (Hamilton 74, 6), Reed 7, Szmodics 9, Burrows 7 (Jones 75, 6); Clarke-Harris 9 (Eisa 66, 7). Unused Subs: Gyollai, Blake-Tracy. ACCRINGTON: Savin 4; Nottingham 3, Hughes 4 (Russell 31, 4), Burgess 3; Rodgers 4, Barclay 4 (Phillips 42, 4), Morgan 5, Butcher 5, Maguire 4; Smyth 6 (Fenlon 75, 4), McConville 5 (Mansell 75, 4). Unused Subs: Isherwood, Perritt, Martin.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jonson ClarkeHarris. On the spot for three close range goals to continue his scoring spree this term. REFEREE: Sam Purkiss 6.