PREVIEW: Nothing is left to chance ahead of City of Peterborough's '˜do-or-die' fixture

City of Peterborough are leaving nothing to chance as they prepare for their win or bust East Premier A Division fixture at Old Loughtonians tomorrow (March 25).
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Mar 2017, 09:30 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 11:00 BST
Action from City of Peterborough (red) v Letchworth.Action from City of Peterborough (red) v Letchworth.
Action from City of Peterborough (red) v Letchworth.

City stumbled last weekend when letting a 4-2 lead slip as they drew 4-4 with Letchworth at Bretton Gate, while Old Loughts were winning their big game 4-2 at title rivals St Albans.

City now need to beat Old Loughts to keep alive their own hopes of National League hockey next season. A draw would leave City requiring a most unlikely huge margin of victory in their game in hand at home to fourth-placed Harleston the following weekend (April 1).

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City will be up against it at Old Loughts with the game taking place during the Essex club’s ‘President’s Day’ thus guaranteeing a large, partisan home crowd.

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It finished 4-4 between City of Peterborough and Letchworth at Bretton Gate.It finished 4-4 between City of Peterborough and Letchworth at Bretton Gate.
It finished 4-4 between City of Peterborough and Letchworth at Bretton Gate.

City’s preparations include a week of training on a similar surface to what they will experience on Saturday.

“We are training at Oundle School this week as their pitch is more similar to the water-based pitch at Old Loughts,” City skipper Ross Booth stated.

“In terms of getting up for the game, it will be the easiest team talk of the season.

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“We all know what we have to do. We all know that Loughts will be extremely tough competition and will be battling for every ball as they know that a point will crown them as champions.

Action from City of Peterborough's disapppinting 4-4 draw in the East Premier A Division against Letchworth (green).Action from City of Peterborough's disapppinting 4-4 draw in the East Premier A Division against Letchworth (green).
Action from City of Peterborough's disapppinting 4-4 draw in the East Premier A Division against Letchworth (green).

“We will have to be at our best to win, but will be able to draw confidence from our last performance against them (a 3-0 win at Bretton Gate).

“Our target has always been to be in contention come the final games of the season. We have achieved that so now we have to give everything to make the next step up to the National League.

“It was a strange game against Letchworth and we weren’t helped by the absence of key midfielder Alex Armstrong and the early depature of one of our strongest defenders James Fisher.

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“It was a disappointing result, but the title is still in our hands which is a big positive.”

It finished 4-4 between City of Peterborough and Letchworth at Bretton Gate.It finished 4-4 between City of Peterborough and Letchworth at Bretton Gate.
It finished 4-4 between City of Peterborough and Letchworth at Bretton Gate.

City hope to have Armstrong and Fisher fit enough to take part tomorrow.

City of Peterborough seconds did seal the Premier B Division title with a 3-2 win at rivals Spalding last weekend thanks to goals from David Fisher, Arthur Franklin and Paul Taylor.

Glen Richardson and Robert Dalton scored for second-placed Spalding who had taken an early lead before just failing to find an equaliser which would have kept the title battle aliive.

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City seconds can only be promoted if the first team are also promoted.

Action from City of Peterborough's disapppinting 4-4 draw in the East Premier A Division against Letchworth (green).Action from City of Peterborough's disapppinting 4-4 draw in the East Premier A Division against Letchworth (green).
Action from City of Peterborough's disapppinting 4-4 draw in the East Premier A Division against Letchworth (green).

A terrific run of form has pulled Wisbech out of relegation trouble at this level. They won 4-3 at Old Southendian to ensure another season as a Premier B Division side.

City of Peterborough Ladies seconds came from a goal behind to beat Spalding firsts 3-1 in Division Two North. Chelsea Oldham, Nikki Harris and Kay Lee scored for the winners.

AJ Bunyan scored all four goals as Spalding Ladies beat City of Peterborough thirds 4-0 in Division Three North West.

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City of Peterborough Ladies firsts sealed an historic promotion to the East Premier Division last weekend. They finish their Division One North season at home to Cambridge University seconds tomorrow (2.30pm start).