Town's reserves continued their 100% start to their league season with a 2-0 victory over Peterborough United at Playford Road. Gary Roberts put the Blues in front from the penalty spot in the first half and Jaime Peters wrapped it up three minutes from time.

Matt Richards was left out after being named in the side announced earlier in the day with Michael Synnott moving into an unusual midfield role in his place. Richards, just back from a loan spell at Brighton, has been tipped to make another short-term move during the transfer window with the Seagulls again interested.

In rain and high winds, the game kicked-off 15 minutes prior to the advertised time with Peterborough going close twice early on, before Gary Roberts turned a Jaime Peters cross over the bar.

Adam Smith headed over for the visitors, then on 27 Kurt Robinson replaced Synnott in the Town midfield.

A minute later, the Blues went in front after a combination of keeper Shwan Jalal and defender Tom Williams sent Roberts sprawling inside the area. The former Accrington man had no trouble from the spot.

Roberts tested the keeper again on 35 but Jalal was equal to his edge of the area effort. Paul Murphy also forced a save from the Iraqi keeper.

Adam Smith should have scored just before the break with a header which the wind wafted wide of Supple's goal.

Town introduced Jai Reason for Ed Upson at half-time as the teams quickly turned around and began the second half. On 51 Republic of Ireland U17 international Paul Murphy chipped the keeper but saw his effort drop on to the roof of the net.

Gary Roberts shot wide, prior to an appeal for a penalty for handball by a Posh player, but referee Woolmer wasn't interested.

On the hour, Jaime Peters's cross was almost headed into his own net by a Peterborough defender but the ball looped over the bar.

After a freekick from the left was knocked down in the box, first Richard Naylor and then Jaime Peters saw efforts blocked. Soon after, Curtley Williams replaced Murphy.

Peterborough's best chance came on 70 when Josh Low lashed the ball wildly over the bar after Shane Supple had spilled a speculative 20-yarder.

With 10 minutes remaining, Tommy Smith headed narrowly wide from a corner. Seven minutes later, Gary Roberts fed Kurt Robinson on the left, the England U17 international played the ball into the area and Jaime Peters sent the ball across the keeper and into the corner of the net.

Hardly a vintage display from the reserves in windy conditions against a determined if limited Peterborough side. The Blues had most of the chances but, given the experience in the side, failed to dominate the game in the manner which might have been expected.

Defensively, the likes of Richard Naylor, Dan Harding and Tommy Smith, back after a knee injury, were rarely tested.

Gary Roberts, playing up front, put in an unusually busy display, perhaps with a view to impressing any watching scouts.

Amongst those at the game was Stevenage Borough manager Peter Taylor, who we understand was checking out Tommy Smith with a view to taking the youngster on loan at Broadhall Way. Midfielder Ed Upson may also be a player the former England U21 boss was interested to see in action.

Reserves: Supple, Casement, Harding, O'Callaghan, Smith, Naylor, Peters, Upson (Reason 46), Roberts, Murphy (C Williams 64), Synnott (Robinson 27).

Photo: Action Images

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