LOCAL FOOTBALL: Netherton surge towards second, Moulton need a point for the title

Ian Dunn (right) celebrates his goal for Pinchbeck against Netherton. Photo: David Lowndes.

The city side downed fellow high-fliers Pinchbeck United 3-2 at the Grange to move to within four points of the runners-up berth currently occupied by Whittlesey Athletic. The race for second carries great significance this season as both Netherton and Whittlesey have applied for promotion to the United Counties League and only the highest finisher wiill be successful.

Both teams have seven matches remaining including a game against each other at Feldale Field on May 3.

Player-boss Ian Dunn fired Pinchbeck into an early lead on Saturday, but Steve Mastin’s deflected shot hauled Netherton level before the break.

Action from Netherton's 3-2 win over Pinchbeck in the Peterborough Premier Division. Photo: David Lowndes.

Adam Scott then shot the city side ahead before Liam Ogden equalised for a Pinchbeck side protecting a 10-game winning streak, but substitute Dwayne Rankin bagged a late winner for Netherton. Netherton remain two points behind third-placed Pinchbeck, but have a game in hand.

Whittlesey strolled to a 5-0 success at home to lowly Leverington thanks mainly to a hat-trick from Liam Harrold. Jake Pell and Ricky Hailstone also netted.

That kept the title race alive for a few days as Moulton Harrox would have sealed top spot had Whittlesey lost. Moulton now face the delicious prospect of winning the title at the home of their local rivals Pinchbeck tomorrow (April 19, 6.30pm).

A point will be enough for unbeaten Moulton who had to battle for a 2-1 win at PFA Senior Cup finalists Langtoft United at the weekend. Ian Bradbury and Ollie Maltby scored the goals for the champions-elect with James Duffy replying for the home side.

Action from the Peterborough Premier Division match between Netherton and Pinchbeck at the Grange. Photo: David Lowndes.

Biggest winners of the weekend were ICA Sports who crushed Crowland 9-1. Joshua Smith bagged a hat-trick with top scorer Andy Wayte adding another two.

There were 12 goals in the game at Thorney with visitors Peterborough Sports Reserves scoring eight of them to stay fifth in the table. Adam Richardson and Ollie Medwynter both scored twice.

Two goals from Alex Brockbank helped Ketton come from behind and win 3-2 at AFC Stanground, while the Baines brothers, Ritchie and Mark, scored three of Stilton’s goals in a 4-1 success over Uppingham.

The PFA Junior Cup Final between Rutland Dead Rabbits and Stamford Lions Reserves scheduled for Friday night (April 15) was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at Chestnut Avenue. The final will now take place at the same venue on Monday, May 9.

RESULTS

Friday, April 15

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH LEAGUE

PFA Junior Cup Final Postponed: Rutland DR v Stamford Lions Reserves.

Saturday, April 16

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH LEAGUE

Premier Division

AFC Stanground 2

Ketton 3 (Brockbank 2, Bird)

Langtoft United 1 (Duffy)

Moulton Harrox 2 (Bradbury, Maltby)

Netherton United 3 (Mastin, Scott, Rankin)

Pinchbeck United 2 (Dunn, Ogden)

ICA Sports 9 (Smith 3, Wayte 2, Barbosa, Cameron. Fox, Macianskis)

Crowland Town 1 (Morris)

Stilton United 4 (R. Baines 2, M. Baines, McKenna)

Uppingham Town 1

Thorney 4

Peterborough Sports Res 8 (Richardson 2, Medwynter 2, Boome, G. Gobbs, Wood, Rootham)

Whittlesey Athletic 5 (Harrold 3, Hailstone, Pell)

Leverington Sports 0