MATCH REPORT: City of Peterborough are title favourites again

City of Peterborough have the East Premier A Division title in their own hands.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Mar 2017, 12:09 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 10:43 BST
City of Peterborough man-of-the-match Nicky Reddy (red) in action against Dereham. Photo: David Lowndes.City of Peterborough man-of-the-match Nicky Reddy (red) in action against Dereham. Photo: David Lowndes.
City of Peterborough man-of-the-match Nicky Reddy (red) in action against Dereham. Photo: David Lowndes.

City’s expected easy win over Dereham on Saturday (March 4) was followed an entirely unexpected draw for title rivals St Albans at lowly Chelmsford yesterday (March 5).

St Albans are now top on goal difference from Old Loughtonians, but City are just a point behind both with a game in hand after a 7-1 duffing of Dereham at Bretton Gate.

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City flew out of the blocks and were unlucky not to win a short corner within the first 30 seconds. The initial breakthrough did come from a corner though as Jordan Heald dispatched the ball for his first of the season.

Will Astbury (red) scores for City of Peterborough against Dereham. Photo: David Lowndes.Will Astbury (red) scores for City of Peterborough against Dereham. Photo: David Lowndes.
Will Astbury (red) scores for City of Peterborough against Dereham. Photo: David Lowndes.

Dereham hit back on the counter attack and after a collision between a City defender and a visiting forward a penalty stroke and yellow card were awarded. Dereham converted the flick to equalise.

City then played a controlled game with 10 men before re-taking the lead once back to full strength. Sam Blunt getting the second goal after another short corner.

Dereham competed well for the first 10 minutes of the second half, but then began to fall away after the City pace and movement became too much for them. A great team goal, created by man of the match Nicky Reddy, was finished by Will Astbury at the back post.

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Joe Finding then smashed in a hit from the top of the ‘D’ which was closely followed by Danny Sisson cracking one between the keeper’s legs. Ben Read deflected an excellent sixth into the roof of the net, after more good work from Reddy, and young Brendan Andrews put away a rebound to make it seven. Credit should go to the Dereham ‘keeper who pulled off a string of exquisite saves including a diving effort to prevent a brilliant strike from Andrews at the death.

City are next in action at mid-table Ipswich on Saturday (March 11). Ipswich lost 8-1 to St Albans on Saturday.