A Stunning Liam Dickinson Strike Gives Posh Their First Away Win Of The Season Against Watford.

Peterborough United picked up their three points of the season away from London Road thanks to a fantastic goal by Liam Dickinson which saw them beat Watford 1-0.

Jim Gannon stuck with the 4-3-3 formation that saw Posh beat Sheffield United on Tuesday night. Gannon, despite using the same formation, did make changes to the starting line-up though handing Sergio Torres his first start of the season, replacing Dominic Green in centre midfield and brought Scott Griffiths back in at left-back.

Malky Mackay’s Watford team were boosted by the news that Tom Cleverley was available for selection, coming back from suspension. Heidar Helguson and Danny Graham formed the strike force despite many ‘Hornets’ fans calling for Will Hoskins to start from the off.

The opening of the match was played at a very fast tempo with both sides looking to secure the early goal however nothing clear-cut was created, despite both sides having corners to defend.

The first chance of note fell to Mark Little, on 11 minutes. After a corner was delivered to the far post, Posh seem to have been working on a delivery deep into the penalty area in training as this type of corner was used throughout the game, but it wasn’t cleared fully and Little had the chance to shoot from the edge of the area after being allowed too much time by the Watford defence. His volley was deflected though and went out for another Posh corner, which was again delivered to the back ‘stick’ but resulted in nothing.

The three man Posh attack was stretching the Watford defence at times and after a long ball was allowed to bounce by Martin Taylor Craig Mackail-Smith capitalised flicking a half-volley towards goal but an excellent save from Scott Loach, who was in direct competition with Joe Lewis in the Peterborough United goal; both ‘keepers are amongst England’s best prospects for the England number 1 shirt in the future, prevented ‘The Posh’ from taking the lead. Loach still had work to do though, after the rebound fell to Liam Dickinson, but once again the England youth international made a good save low down to his left.

Seemingly startled into life after a spell of Posh pressure Watford wasted two good chances to put themselves in front. The first was put high and wide by Don Cowie after Griffiths misread a long, cross-field, pass. The second was blazed high by Tom Cleverley as Peterborough struggled to deal with the width that Watford were utilising as a result of their fairly central formation.

Both sides seemed to slow the tempo down and settle on the poor Vicarage Road pitch and both teams were struggling to make any sort of impact, it was of little surprise as Gannon has made his feelings clear that he wanted his Posh side to reach the break without conceding, so they didn’t reach the interval behind; Posh had been behind at half-time in 9 of their last 11 matches.

An Aaron McLean snap-shot on the stroke of half-time almost put the visitors in front but the half-volley cannoned back off the post and the sides would remain locked at 0-0 after 45 minutes had been played. The first half performance had encouraged the Posh faithful but had left the Watford fans frustrated.

Exodus Geohagon was brought on by Jim Gannon at half time to replace Sergio Torres after the Argentinean had put in an encouraging performance on his return to first team action.

Once again Aaron McLean was proving a handful for the Watford defence and a quick turn and shot went just wide of the post with Peterborough starting the half the brighter.

On 51 minutes the deadlock was broken by Liam Dickinson who gave Posh their first lead to defend in an away match since way back in December 2009 against Leicester. Loach had raced out to stop the threat of Mark Little, who had made a surging run from right back, but his clearance was blocked and fell at the feet of Dickinson who produced a moment of brilliance. With Loach off his line the ex Stockport man showed excellent vision to chip the helpless Loach, from 30 yards, who was backpedaling, and score what he called “the best goal of his career”.

Watford were determined not to lose to bottom side Peterborough and began to exert some sustained pressure on ‘The Posh’ goal for the first time in the match. Joe Lewis made his first save of the match parrying an Adrian Mariappa shot. Danny Graham then had a guilt-edge chance for the hosts but somehow struck the ball way over the bar, with Lewis stranded, from close range.

Will Hoskins was sent on by Malky Mackay, to the delight of the home crowd, to replace Danny Graham, who was playing poorly, as ‘The Hornets’ looked to restore parity in a game that was a ‘must-win’ for Watford. Henri Lansbury tested his luck from distance but Lewis made a comfortable save.

Henri Lansbury was brought down right on the edge of the area for the hosts, although ‘The Golden Boys’ felt adamant that the challenge was in the box and they should have had a penalty. The resulting free-kick was in a dangerous position but Tom Cleverley put the free-kick just over the bar; it did look as if Lewis had the shot covered though.

Watford almost did secure a late equaliser but Craig Morgan, who has been very impressive in recent weeks, managed to clear the ball, with his head, from what looked a goal-bound effort from Mariappa. Zakuani, his partner at centre back made a very similar block moments later heading away the danger.

Exodus Geohagon’s long throws were providing a chance for ‘The Posh’ to take the sting out of the game and were proving valuable as Posh began to tire and look nervous as it began to look as if they may pick up their first away win of the season. It was from the long throw that Dickinson hit the cross-bar; Loach tipping the ball onto the woodwork and keeping his team in the match.

Posh were really under pressure towards the end of the game and kept giving away free-kicks right on the edge of their own area, a couple of yards further forward and Watford would have had the chance to equalise from the penalty spot, fortunately for the visitors ‘The ‘Orns’ were wasteful with their opportunities and despite Hoskins firing a volley just over in the latter stages Posh held on. The final whistle was greeted with jubilation from the travelling supporters, for whom it was a relief to see their side win away from home. The Peterborough United crowd had travelled in their numbers and made their presence felt being very vociferous throughout the match.

For Peterborough United fans this win perhaps provides a glimmer of hope that their side will have a chance of surviving in the Championship. ‘The Posh’ will need to win 5 of their last 10 fixtures to have a good chance of staying up; Gannon’s win percentage so far in his time as Posh manager is 50%. Perhaps the ‘great escape’ is still on.

Watford: 01) Loach, 02) Mariappa (McGinn 85), 06) DeMerit, 12) Doyley, 24) Taylor, 05) Lansbury, 07) Cowie (Henderson 72), 20) Cleverley, 28) Eustace, 10) Graham (Hoskins 61), 11) Helguson.

 Peterborough: 01) Lewis, 04) Morgan, 05) Zakuani, 16) Little, 30) Griffiths (Simpson 75), 06) Lee, 14) Rowe, 22) Torres (Geoghagon 46), 07) Dickinson, 09) Mclean (Reid 83), 12) Mackail-Smith.