Tony Adcock scored twice on his debut as Peterborough United inflicted Fulham’s first defeat under new manager Don Mackay at London Road this afternoon.
The 4-1 scoreline ultimately gave a misleading impression of how even the contest was before Marcus Ebdon opened the scoring just after the half hour mark. A combination of Simon Morgan and John Finch bundled over Ken Charlery and Adcock stepped up. His poor penalty was well saved by Stannard, but the Welsh under-21 international had the presence of mind to follow up and fire home his first league goal from the rebound. Sean Farrell, who has been in outstanding form since signing for Fulham from Luton Town for £100,000, lost his finishing touch in front of goal as he endured a miserable afternoon missing a hatful of opportunities in the first half alone.
The Posh made a strong second to the second half and put the game beyond Fulham’s reach as Adcock bagged a brace in the space of seven minutes. Worrell Sterling delivered a delightful cross from the left flank and United’s top scorer buried a header into the opposite corner to the one guarded by Jim Stannard. The 28 year-old then surpassed even that effort by crashing an unstoppable finish past the diving Stannard after being found by a brilliant ball from Mick Halsall.
Fulham laid siege to the Peterborough goal but seemed not to score. Peter Scott volleyed fractionally wide and was then denied by a superb save from Fred Barber before Farrell fired a shot against the outside of the post. The visitors finally got a goal back from the penalty spot after David Robinson was penalised for handball and Mark Newson beat Barber from twelve yards.
The Gills still had the last word as Sterling capped off an excellent display with a deserved goal, smashing a finish past Stannard after Adcock slipped in the act of shooting but still managed to set up the winger as he lost his footing. Stannard made a magnificent stop to deny Sterling a second before the final whistle – but the final outcome was chastening enough for Mackay.
PETERBOROUGH UNITED: Barber; Welsh, D. Robinson, R. Robinson, Luke, Halsall, Sterling, Ebdon, Kimble (Butterworth 73); Charlery, Adcock. Subs (not used): Riley.
BOOKED: D. Robinson.
GOALS: Ebdon (pen 32), Adcock (48, 55), Sterling (84).
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt (Onwere 77), Finch, G. Thomas, Pike, Marshall, Morgan, Newson, Scott, Brazil, Farrell. Subs (not used): Haag.
BOOKED: Pike.
GOAL: Newson (pen 82).
REFEREE: D. Frampton.
ATTENDANCE: 4,975.
