Posh boss Evans dedicates win against Fleetwood to fans

Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2018 by PA

Steve Evans dedicated Peterborough United’s 1-0 win over Fleetwood Town to the club’s supporters who have endured a “torrid’ time at the ABAX Stadium.

Central defender Rhys Bennett powered in a 52nd minute header from a drilled Louis Reed corner to make it a first league win in six home matches for second placed Posh, who lost their previous two matches at the ABAX.

The win was a huge relief for Peterborough manager Evans who praised Reed’s first start for the club since signing from Sheffield United.

He said: “I thought we deserved to win. The performance was good against a good side.

“That’s for the supporters. They’ve had a torrid couple of games at home. It’s not been good for them, but they’ve seen a performance full of effort, full of endeavour, and it was the players showing the supporters how much they want to win the game.

“They play right and the manager will no doubt go on to have a good career. We’re just pleased to win.

“It was nervous until the goal. Then the players were brilliant in the last 20 minutes.

“Louis Reed I thought was our best player. His passing, his movement. I’ve seen him play Tottenham Hotspur and be man of the match in front of 30,000 at Bramall Lane, so the kid can play.”

Bennett’s bullet header finally sparked a drab game into life. Fleetwood responded well to the goal with home goalkeeper Aaron Chapman saving well from an angled Wes Burns drive and substitute Chris Long narrowly drilling a shot wide from outside the area.

However, the visitors failed to score as for a second match running they went down to one of the division’s top two, away from home.

Manager Joey Barton admitted he was now focused on Fleetwood trying to beat neighbours Blackpool for the first time ever on Saturday.

He said: “You get what you deserve. “It was a really good game of football, and on another night we’ve created enough chances to definitely take a point, if not all three.

“I said to the lads in the dressing room, ‘you keep playing like that you’ll win more games than you lose’.

“Peterborough are a good side, but I’m really disappointed as I felt we were much the better side.

“We’re not a million miles away – we’re building as a team. We’ve just got to keep progressing.

“I’m looking forward to a derby at home against Blackpool on Saturday now. I’m expecting a great atmosphere and hopefully we can match that with a great game of football.

“I don’t think Fleetwood have ever beaten Blackpool, so I’m looking forward to hopefully making some history. If we perform like we did tonight we are more than capable of taking the three points.”