After his side’s 2-0 victory over League Two side Exeter City, Peterborough United manager Steve Evans was full of praise for the performance from both fans and players on Tuesday night.
Peterborough United manager Steve Evans was proud of his side’s performance against Exeter City in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night.
Goals from strikers Ivan Toney and Jason Cummings helped The Posh to a 2-0 victory over the League Two side, taking Peterborough United just three wins away from a trip to Wembley.
“We could have won by any score tonight,” Evans told the Peterborough Telegraph.
“I was a little bit concerned at half-time as we hadn’t turned our complete dominance into goals. We should have been three up at least.
“As everyone knows anything can happen in cup ties. They might get a breakaway goal for a start. But we told the players to stay professional in the second half and that if they did we would win and they responded perfectly.
“Marcus Maddison was quiet until coming alive in the final 20 minutes. He produced two magical crosses for the goals which is why we love the lad.
“We created a lot of chances. We had 23 shots. We hit the woodwork twice and had another header kicked off the line. Ivan Toney was terrific again tonight and I was pleased Jason Cummings scored. He could have had a hat-trick, but at least he kept going and the fans gave him a terrific ovation when we took him off.
“And well played the fans. You have to admire those that made the trip down here. It’s a long way and part of my thinking with the team selection was a desire not to send them home on a 250-mile trip having seen their team lose.
“We appreciate their support and I am glad the players put on a show for them. I wasn’t sure how they’d react after the hammering they took for five bad minutes on Saturday, but I needn’t have worried. We were very good tonight.”
Not only was Evans full of praise for the 79 travelling fans, but he was also charitable. After the game, the manager stated that he will pay the ‘bus fare’ for the 14 fans who made a 10-hour round journey down to St James’ Park by coach.
“There were a number of fans who travelled on the official supporters’ coach and I will personally pay the ‘bus fare’ for those people. That bus journey is an incredibly long one. That is hardcore support.
“That sort of support made me pick a strong team as I didn’t want them to make the long trip home having seen their team get beaten.”
Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony was full of praise for Evans’ gesture of kindness, posting on Twitter:
Class from the Gaffer 👏🏻 https://t.co/oi7m52isdP
— Darragh MacAnthony (@DMAC102) December 4, 2018
MacAnthony and fellow co-owners Jason Neale and Stewart Thompson also paid for a free hot drink and chocolate bar for travelling fans.
