The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
A great spectacle - one that would grace Wembley!
Posh and Bolton showed just why they are the two topscoring teams in League One by delivering a six-goal spectacular at London Road.
But they also showed why they will now contest the play-offs, while less attractive teams celebrate automatic promotion.
It was great entertainment, especially given the visitors’ hopes of gate-crashing the top were gone pretty quickly because of events elsewhere, but the defensive flaws top two Pompey and Derby County don’t have were also in evidence.
Posh were sloppy in the early stages and conceded a header from a recycled corner and a penalty to fall 2-0 down inside 10 minutes.
But they played with great pace and enterprise – helped by a painfully slow back three – after the break to take the lead with 11 minutes to go, only to concede an equaliser after a bad error from centre-back Josh Knight.
On the positive side Malik Mothersille’s two closerange goals from precise crosses from David Ajiboye and Joel Randall respectively were a reward for slick movement, speedy running and excellent positional sense.
And Randall’s lovely finish after an Ephron MasonClark through ball was also a highlight at a time when the speed and athleticism of the Posh forwards were causing many problems.
If the teams do meet again at Wembley it would doubtless be a mouth-watering spectacle as all-out attack seems to be mantra for both managers.
Bolton pressed effectively before the break and often pinned Posh back, but they couldn’t sustain it and Posh broke free enough times to give Trotters’ boss Ian Evatt a few sleepless nights if that re-match gets set.
Archie Collins was again outstanding, while Ronnie Edwards was imperious at the back even in those difficult early moments.
MATCH FACTS Goals: Posh – Mothersille (50 & 79 mins), Randall (67 mins).
Bolton – Dempsey (4 mins), Charles (9 mins, pen), Jerome (82 mins).
Posh caution: Randall.
Attendance: 11,643 (2,034 Bolton).