Peterborough United secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Cheltenham Town in the EFL Trophy quarterfinal match on February 5, 2025. The thrilling contest at Weston Homes Stadium saw Peterborough overturn a halftime deficit to book their place in the semi-finals of the Vertu Trophy competition.
First half drama
Hector Kyprianou opened the scoring for Peterborough in the 24th minute, giving the home side an early advantage. The midfielder’s goal energized the 2,587 spectators in attendance.
Cheltenham Town responded emphatically, with Jordan Thomas finding the equalizer in the 34th minute. The visitors then took a surprising lead just before halftime when George Miller scored during stoppage time at 45+3 minutes.
The first half concluded with Cheltenham holding a 2-1 advantage, putting Peterborough in a challenging position as they headed to the dressing room.
Second half comeback
Peterborough United emerged from the break with renewed determination. Abraham Odoh leveled the score in the 52nd minute, shifting momentum back to the home side.
The decisive moment came in the 69th minute when Ricky Jade-Jones netted what proved to be the winning goal. His strike completed Peterborough’s comeback and ultimately secured their progression to the semi-finals.
Cheltenham Town pushed desperately for an equalizer in the closing stages but couldn’t find a way past Peterborough’s defense. Their 2024/25 Vertu Trophy campaign ended with this narrow defeat.
Key performers
Peterborough’s lineup featured several standout performers who contributed to the victory. Goalkeeper Steer provided stability at the back, while the defensive unit of Nevett, Fernandez, Wallin, and Hayes worked diligently to contain Cheltenham’s attacks.
In midfield, O’Brien-Brady, Collins, and goalscorer Kyprianou controlled proceedings effectively. The forward line of Conn-Clarke, Lindgren, and Odoh caused consistent problems for the Cheltenham defense.
Emmanuel Fernandez nearly added to Peterborough’s tally with a header that required a save from the Cheltenham goalkeeper. Chris Conn-Clarke also tested the keeper with a well-struck shot.
Match significance
This quarterfinal victory marks an important step for Peterborough United in their EFL Trophy campaign. The win propels them into the semi-finals of the Vertu Trophy, keeping their hopes alive for silverware this season.
The match demonstrated Peterborough’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity. After trailing at halftime, their second-half performance showcased their attacknig quality and mental strength.
For Cheltenham Town, the defeat represents a disappointing end to their cup run, Despite taking a lead into halftime and scoring twice away from home, they ultimately couldn’t withstand Peterborough’s second-half resurgence.