Ferguson unimpressed by ‘sloppy’ Peterborough despite booking third-round spot

Posted Monday, December 02, 2019 by PA

Darren Ferguson admitted his Peterborough side were flattered by their 3-0 FA Cup victory over National League side Dover.

Posh, who are third in League One, sealed their place in the third round thanks to a stunning Ivan Toney volley and late strikes from Frankie Kent and Mohamed Eisa.

Ferguson said: “I’m happy with the result and to be in the third round.

“We could not get that second goal to kill them off. We were really poor in possession and they were very good. The 3-0 scoreline was a bit flattering, but we did have five or six great chances.

“For 15 minutes in the second half they were the better team.

“It was not good enough, but (Toney’s goal) has got to be up there for goal of the round. We’ve had the ability to score some incredible goals this season. And that’s 11 clean sheets now, as many as we had last season.

“But we were very sloppy in possession. We’re all right in training but not when it comes to a match and I don’t know why.

“It would be great to get a really big one away from home (in the third round), for the club and the fans.”

Toney returned to the side after a one-game ban and after just seven minutes latched on to a header from Dover defender Will De Havilland to strike a stunning volley over goalkeeper Lee Worgan, who later made two excellent saves to deny Eisa.

The visitors came close when Jack Munns hit the outside of a post from 20 yards before after 79 minutes Kent netted at the near post from a Marcus Maddison corner.

Eisa then got his goal seven minutes later, stroking home from 10 yards after a low cross from Serhat Tasdemir.

Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler said: “I’m proud of them – we more than matched them. Three-nil is a bit harsh on us. We just needed a little bit more quality in the final third.

“Until the second goal we were well in it and perhaps were the better side. We hit the outside of the post then they went to the other end and scored from a corner.

“I thought we should have had a penalty. I’ve seen the gash on Ricky (Modeste’s) leg and there was a handball, while their third goal was two yards offside. I’m a little bit disappointed with the performance of the officials but proud of the players who were excellent.

“For Toney’s goal Will should have let the ball go through to the goalkeeper. He was falling backwards and headed it straight to the lad but it was a hell of a strike. We all make mistakes and the lad punished us for it.”