Junior Morias hailed for scoring on Peterborough return

Posted Sunday, January 21, 2018 by PA

Peterborough United manager Grant McCann admitted sentiment played a part in handing Junior Morias his first start in four months after the striker returned from a serious thigh injury to net in a 3-0 against Oldham Athletic.

The pain of injury against the same opponents last September changed to elation for Morias who opened the scoring for play-off chasing Posh.

George Cooper, who signed midweek from Crewe, added a second and 24-goal striker Jack Marriott sealed the win with a penalty – after being tripped inside the area by Kean Bryan, while relegation-threatened Oldham ended the match with 10 men as first-half substitute George Edmundson received a second yellow card after 68 minutes.

McCann said his side’s opponents was “one of the reasons” he played Morias.

He explained: “I saw the hurt when he went down at Oldham. But he also deserved to play.

“We spoke at half-time that when he receives the ball he can’t keep turning back. Then he delivered a great finish and I’m delighted for him. He’s had a tough time.

“We struggled in the first-half. They were better than us. But I said to the players ‘get in at nil-nil’. There were a few things that we needed to change technically.

“In the second-half when we raised our tempo and aggression and energy we were a match for anyone.

“It wasn’t any easier when they went down to 10 men so I was pleased.

“It’s actually more difficult because of your mindset and mentality, it’s hard to find that balance.”

Oldham have now gone eight league matches without a win.

Manager Richie Wellens said: “When you go a man down it’s important you have leaders on the pitch. You try and stay one-nil down until the last 10 minutes then go for it.

“The big turning point was Dan Gardner hitting the post at one-nil.

“Our game management is not good enough, but I didn’t think it was a penalty.

“The Checkatrade Trophy match against Shrewsbury (on Tuesday) is a big game for us. Some players need to get their confidence going – especially our attacking players. We look neat and tidy but I want us to get goals and assists and kill the teams off.

“I’m not going to beat around the bush. When I get a forward the results will change.

“We got beat three-nil because they have a cutting edge and we didn’t.”