Huge game for Peterborough Sports again, but frustration at another fixture clash with Peterborough United

Sports have a high profile league game at home to former Football League Club Chester on Saturday (Bee Arena, 3pm), but a League One derby between Peterborough United and Lincoln City will kick off at the same time 2 miles away at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Sports’ playing budget will be dwarfed by virtually all of their divisional rivals this season so they need all the financial help they can get, and gate money plays a big part of that.

But eight Sports home matches clash with Posh matches at London Road, including the opening day fixture on August 6 which drew just over 300 supporters to the Bee Arena. It wil be nine clashes if Posh receive a home draw in the first round of the FA Cup.

All but two of the fixture clashes happen before Christmas at a time when Sports will be trying to find their feet at the highest level a non-league side from the city has ever competed in since the Posh Midland League days of the 1950s.

Sports chairman Grant Biddle, who sanctioned an increased playing budget this season, said: “We asked for fixtures not to clash with Posh, but there you go,” while first-team manager Jimmy Dean added. “It is a shame there are so many clashes and obviously Lincoln is an attractive fixture for Posh fans.

"I just hope when we play at home and Posh are away many more Peterborough people come and see what we are about. They won’t be disappointed with us or the standard.”

The first opportunity for Posh fans to see Sports at the Bee Arena arrives on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29 when current National North League pacesetters King’s Lynn Town are the visitors (3pm kick off).

Sports go into the Chester game having won a creditable four points from their first three matches.

Chester were once relegated from the Football League in May, 2000 after losing their final home game of the season to Posh, although they have also returned to the Football League, gone bust and returned as a new club since then!

"Playing ex-Football League clubs on successive Saturdays really rams it home how far we’ve travelled,” Dean said.

“They are another big hitter in our division, but we have nothing to fear. The travelling problems are all Chester’s this Saturday and hopefully we will be able to take advantage.”

Key midfielder Dan Lawlor is back from honeymoon, while summer signing from Kettering Town Connor Johnson is free from suspension, although personal circumstances might keep him away for one more game.

Chester have also started the National North season with four points from their opening three matches.