PETERBOROUGH LEAGUE PREVIEW: Do-or-die for Netherton United

A stirring comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Moulton Harrox at the Grange last Saturday (March 4) earned Netherton a President’s Shield final place.

They will play Pinchbeck United in the end-of-season showdown in May. They also travel to Pinchbeck in the Peterborough Premier Division tomorrow (March 11) when defeat would probably end their title aspirations.

Pinchbeck are currently second in the table, two places and six points ahead of Netherton. They also beat the city side in a PFA Senior Cup tie at Knight Street recently.

This weekend’s match has been given added spice by a cheeky attempt by Pinchbeck to sign Netherton top scorer Tom Randall, a move the player has apparently rebuffed.

“Tommy isn’t going anywhere,” Netherton boss Jon Harrison insisted. “He’s Netherton through and through.

“It’s do or die for us as far as the league is concerned tomorrow, but I picked up a few things from our recent PFA Cup meeting so hopefully we will get a better result.

“Stopping Ollie Maltby from scoring is the biggest challenge. He’s very good and 49 goals in 25 matches is just ridiculous.

“I’m pleased to have reached a cup final. It would be a crime if this set of players didn’t have a final to play.

“Our morale was killed by defeats in the PFA and county cups recently, but beating a top side like Moulton is good for the confidence.”

Randall scored twice against Moulton to take his tally for the season to 31. Skipper Herbie Panting also netted.

Central defender Ben Daly is back for Netherton this weekend, but other key men, including midfield dynamo, Ash Jackson are missing.

Maltby scored a hat-trick in Pinchbeck’s 4-1 win at Leverington. He now has five hat-tricks this season as well as four-goal and six-goal games.

Peterborough Sports Reserves maintained their four-point lead at the top with a 5-1 success over Ketton. Gary Gibbs claimed a hat-trick with Ian Bradbury and Andy Boome also on target.

Sports should maintain that lead this Saturday as they host Sawtry at PSL.

The semi-finals of the PFA Junior Cup take place on Saturday when Bretton North End will be fancied to win at Oundle Town Reserves in an all-Division Three clash.

Division Three high-fliers FC Peterborough will also fancy their chances at Division Four outfit Whaplode Drove.

ICA Sports’ scheduled Hunts Cup Final against Eaton Socon at Godmanchester next Wednesday (March 15) has been postponed because of an unfit pitch. The final will now take place on April 12 at the same venue.

FIXTURES

Saturday, March 11

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH LEAGUE

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

PFA JUNIOR CUP

Semi-finals: Oundle Res v Bretton North End, Whaplode Drove v FC Peterborough.