A New Year, renewed hopes and a trip down the A1, looking snazzy in a swish new shirt. It seemed odd to be playing a team called The Posh’ when they don’t have two Pennys to rub together and we have a Marquis in our side – so much more upper class.
A majestic Christmas with three successive wins – a rare luxury – had lavished much hope on the Rovers faithful. Peterborough, however, were always going to be a sterner test.
The play was anything but stylish. No elegance to the game and the thinking often less than smart. A cheap foul given away by Rovers led to an early Posh goal. After that the first half was forgettable; two equally matched teams cancelling each other out.
The second half was more up market, with more swagger to the Rovers; they survived a scare when Posh hit the post but continued to press hard for the equaliser. Alfie Beestin replaced Liam Mandeville, accompanied by a less than classy cheer, and Rodney Kongolo joined the action replacing Jordan Houghton.
Despite the huff and puff the equalising goal seemed elusive. Ben Whiteman was denied by the ‘keeper and in injury time Alfie May missed a sitter, but the fans were not deterred.
And then that rare moment when for once, injury time was our saviour. Whiteman fashioned a goal at the second attempt and the Rovers faithful erupted.
The upper echelons of this league beckon, I fancy – what a Happy New Year!
by Stuart Clegg
popular STAND fanzine 