PETERBOROUGH LEAGUE KICK-OFF: Netherton start with two battles of the giants

Action from last season's match between Netherton and Pinchbeck at the Grange. Photo: David Lowndes.

The city side, who will be one of the title favourites, host a fancied Pinchbeck United team at the Grange tomorrow (August 6) before travelling across the city to face a strong Peterborough Sports Reserve team on Wednesday (July 10).

But Netherton manager Jon Harrison will take it all in his stride. He believes he has assembled a squad capable of achieving their goal of United Counties League football.

Not that promotion is the sole aim.

“I don’t want to get into the UCL by finishing third or fourth and going up because no-one else wanted to,” Harrison insisted. “I want to win the league.

“We are a big club at this level and big clubs should have plenty of ambition.

“I am very happy with my squad. I am not bothered about losing Steve Mastin (Blackstones) or Tom Flatters (Whittlesey) as we could have found a gem from the lower divisions in Dean Giglio.

“He is fearless. He’s been scoring regularly against UCL Premier Division teams in pre-season.

“We couldn’t have been given a tougher start to the season with two top sides in the first week, but I don’t care how good they are, they won’t be as good as Holbeach United first team who we came close to beating in pre-season.

“In fact we played well against several UCL teams in pre-season so I’m a very confident man.”

FIXTURES

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH LEAGUE

Saturday, August 6

Premier Division: Crowland Town v Uppingham Town, Ketton v Wisbech Town Res, Langtoft United v Leverington Sports, Moulton Harrox v Stilton United, Netherton United v Pinchbeck United, ICA Sports v Holbeach United Res, Stamford Lions v Peterborough Sports Res, Thorney v AFC Stanground Sports.

Division One: Kings Cliffe v Spalding United Res, Long Sutton Athletic v Oakham United Res, Oundle Town v Baston v Oundle Town, Riverside v Whittlesey Athletic Res, Sutton Bridge United v Netherton United Res, Wittering v Glinton & Northborough.

Tuesday, August 9

Premier Division: Holbeach Res v Pinchbeck, Ketton v Uppingham Town, ICA Sports v Sawtry.

Division One: Long Sutton Athletic v Sutton Bridge United, Whittlesey Athletic Res v Warboys Town, Wittering v Stamford Belvedere, Riverside v Glinton & Northborough.

Wednesday, August 10

Premier Division: Deeping Rangers Res v Crowland Town, Peterborough Sports Res v Netherton United, Stamford Lions v Langtoft United, Thorney v Moulton Harrox, Wisbech Town Res v Leverington Sports.

Division One: Kings Cliffe v Oundle Town, Peterborough Polonia FC v Netherton United Reserves.