NON-LEAGUE: Peterborough Sports are on the march again, Cuckoos down to earth with a bump, late drama at Bourne

Any doubts that Peterborough Sports couldn't possibly replicate last season's all-conquering campaign were swept away last night (August 9).
Dan Banister (orange) scored for Peterborough Sports at Wisbech.Dan Banister (orange) scored for Peterborough Sports at Wisbech.
Dan Banister (orange) scored for Peterborough Sports at Wisbech.

The city side romped to the United Counties Division One title last season and several wise old heads believe they will repeat the feat in the top flight.

A 3-0 win at Wisbech Town in their opening fixture suggests they might be right.

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Mark Jones, quite possibly the marquee summer signing in the entire division, scored twice for the Turbines with Dan Banister, another close season recruit, also on target.

Tommy Treacher (left) scored for Holbeach at Yaxley.Tommy Treacher (left) scored for Holbeach at Yaxley.
Tommy Treacher (left) scored for Holbeach at Yaxley.

That’s 11 goals in two games for Sports - they thumped Gorleston 8-0 in an FA Cup tie on Saturday - and none conceded despite the use of three goalkeepers already. Sam Vince was the latest number one to keep a clean sheet.

Sports took the lead in front of a decent crowd of 187 on 38 minutes with a Jones header from a Dave Cobb cross. Jones made it 2-0 on 73 minutes before substitute Banister added a third goal four minutes later following a Lewis Webb pass.

Sports could easily have won by more goals with Dan Clements striking the crossbar.

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Yaxley fell down to earth with a bump. Following their 12-0 FA Cup win over Huntingdon at the weekend - a result that earned manager Brett Whaley a slot on national radio -The Cuckoos were beaten 1-0 by Holbeach United in their Premier Division opener at In2itive Park.

Tommy Treacher (left) scored for Holbeach at Yaxley.Tommy Treacher (left) scored for Holbeach at Yaxley.
Tommy Treacher (left) scored for Holbeach at Yaxley.

A deflected Tommy Treacher shot in the first-half won the day for The Tigers. “I’m gutted,” admitted Whaley. “It was a reality check for us. We weren’t good enough in a poor game.”

There was an exciting finish in Division One as Bourne Town and Whittlesey Athletic fought out a 2-2 draw at the Abbey Lawns. Aaron Jesson looked to have given the home side their first win of the season when making it 2-1 in the 85th minute, but Jake Pell levelled for Whittlesey in stoppage time.

Zak Munton and Liam Harrold had exchanged goals earlier in the game.

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March Town United have just one point from their opening three Thurlow Nunn Division One matches after losing 3-2 at home to Haverhill Borough last night.

Kevin Holt scored his first goal since returning from an 18-month ban to make it 1-1, but a Dan Woods penalty turned out to be a second-half consolation goal.

Peterborough Northern Star (home to Huntingdon), Deeping Rangers (away to Sleaford) and Blackstones (home to Melton) are all in United Counties League action tonight,

RESULTS

Tuesday, August 9

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division

Wisbech Town 0

Peterborough Sports 3 (M. Jones 2, Banister)

Yaxley 0

Holbeach United 1 (Treacher).

Division One

Bourne 2 (Munton, Jesson)

Whittlesey Athletic 2 (Pell, Harrold).

THURLOW NUNN EASTERN LEAGUE

Division One

March Town United 2 (Holt, Woods)

Haverhill Borough 3.

FIXTURES

Wednesday, August 10

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: Peterborough Northern Star v Huntingdon, Sleaford Town v Deeping Rangers.

Division One: Blackstones v Melton Town.

THURLOW NUNN EASTERN LEAGUE

Division One: Wisbech St Mary v Dereham Town Res.