Coulthirst cuts down the gutsy Generals

A LACKLUSTRE performance saw Peterborough do just about enough to scrape past Chesham United and book themselves a place in the second round of the FA Cup – but manager Grant McCann insisted the result was all that mattered.

Shaquile Coulthirst struck twice for the home side – one in each half – but were made to sweat out the final ten minutes as Ryan Blake halved the deficit.

But Posh did see the game out to leave McCann eyeing up another cup run.

“These kind of games are never easy, it was a cup final for Chesham, they came and gave everything, our players didn’t do that in the first half but thankfully we stepped it up in the second and controlled the game,” he said.

“We were in a no-win situation. Everyone expected us to win and if we didn’t win we’d have been all over the back pages, so I’m glad we’re safely into the next round, that’s all that matters.

“We were really good in the cup last year, getting to the fourth round, so we’ll look forward to seeing who we get next.”

The non-league visitors pressed hard from the off, dominating the early exchanges with Sam Youngs going close after his long-range shot fizzed just wide of Luke McGee’s post. Chesham continued to take advantage of a lethargic Posh side, but surprisingly the hosts took the lead 40 minutes into the game when Coulthirst struck a thunderous 25-yard strike into the top corner.

Marcus Maddison almost doubled Posh’s lead early into the second half after he saw his free-kick tipped over by an excellent Ashlee Jones save.

Much to their relief Peterborough’s second came on 70 minutes after Coulthirst slotted home from closerange.

Ten minutes later Chesham were given a glimmer of hope after a terrible backpass from Michael Bostwick allowed Blake to round McGee and score. But despite pushing Peterborough to their limit Chesham couldn’t quite do enough to cause an upset.

Chesham boss Andy Leese said: “I thought we were tremendous in the first half of the game, we looked like the side most likely to score.

“Peterborough couldn’t have been pleased with their performance and our game plan worked really well.

“I was really pleased with our performance despite the result not being the one we wanted, but all in all I’m so proud of the club.”