The league has long been the standing dish of the Saturday afternoon men's game in this area - now it is introducing a five-a-side ladies league backed by Chroma Sports.

The initiative was passed by the league's management committee this week and will be launched in January with matches played indoors at Chestnut Avenue.

And league officials hope it could be the start of a long-term involvement in a sport that is booming worldwide.

Peterborough League press officer Keith Sharp said: "If this is successful – and we certainly hope that is the case – we will consider the possibility of making it permanent with a view to also developing an 11-a-side league in the near future.

"We are keen to investigate, help and support all football within the Peterborough & District Football League catchment area. Women's football is an area that is growing massively locally."

Any teams interested in playing in the new league should contact Wendy Newey on 01733 566605.



PETERBOROUGH Ladies' love affair with the Womens FA Cup came to a bitter and abrupt end.

The city side slumped to a 6-2 defeat against Stoke City after making a catalogue of errors in some horrendous conditions.

Maria Rudd's side were 4-0 down at the break and had no hope of clawing themselves back into the game despite an improved display featuring goals from Donna Nicholls and Hannah Stubbs after the break.

Boss Rudd said: "We simply couldn't adapt to the harsh weather conditions and we lacked experienced heads who could have steered us through the first half.

"Half the players went missing and the attitude was disappointing at times as we argued amongst ourselves when the pressure got to us.

"Players have to look at themselves and stop pointing the fingers at others. If they had listened and took on board the instructions given they would not have been dumped out of the cup so easily.

"However, we still played some excellent football at times, but Stoke were direct and deserved their victory."

Lisa White hit the post and Larissa Frederick was only inches away from adding to Ladies' tally.



AZURE manager Steve Iredale reckons his side are no longer like Arsenal.

The city outfit always play their fair share of pretty football, but they also proved they can scrap it out for the points on Sunday.

Azure ended Clifton's unbeaten record with a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the East Midlands Premier Division at a windswept Greenfields in Sawtry.

Azure made the most of having a strong wind at their backs in the opening period to hit the front courtesy of Jordan Biggs' rocket shot and Jess Evans, who bundled in after good work from Jade Ovendale.

And the local lasses stood firm when coming under a wind-assisted Clifton onslaught in the second half. The visitors did cut their arrears when a speculative short squirmed past keeper Laura Priddy, but Azure pocketed maximum points.

Iredale said: "Previously we had looked a bit like Arsenal at times in that we struggled against the more physical sides, but there are signs that our players are getting accustomed to what is required to play at this level.

"When we pass the ball well we can cut teams apart, but as Arsenal have found out sometimes you've got to have a mixture of the two to get results."

Azure are away at table-topping Welbeck Welfare or Worksop on Sunday.