ROUND-UP: Same old story for unlucky Peterborough Sports, 11-minute hat-trick for Daniels star, six defeats in a row for Spalding

The city side have now lost 12 of their 21 games in their first season at this level and eight have been by a one-goal margin, including today’s 2-1 reverse at home to Leek Town. It suggests Jimmy Dean’s men are not far away from cracking this toughest of competitions.

They were certainly worth a point at least at PSL today. They were the better side in the opening quarter and deserved their 13th minute lead courtesy of Ollie Medwynter’s fine volley from Dan Lawlor’s free kick.

Sports were also the dominant force in the final half an hour, although by then they had conceded a scrappy goal to Robert Stevenson before the break and a classy goal to Liam Davis just before the hour.

But falling behind roused the home side and they peppered the Leek penalty area with crosses and shots, but none could breach a resolute and committed Leek defence.

Substitute Avelino Vieira missed the best chance with a free header at the far post not long after the impressive Mark Jones had forced a fine save from the visiting ‘keeper.

Captain Jones led from the front with a display of committed running and jumping, but Sports needed more from the gifted Lewis Hilliard who flitted in and out of the action. They were also not helped by the half time departure of top man Josh Moreman with a calf injury.

Injuries to key men is another Sports’ theme this season. As it is they sit six points and four places clear of the one relegation place.

Sports: Dan George, Ollie Medwynter, Dave Cobb, Ash Robinson, Sam Hill, Josh McCammon, Dan Banister, Dan Lawlor, Lewis Hilliard, Mark Jones, Josh Moreman (sub Avelino Vieira, 46 mins).

Goals: Sports - Medwynter (13 mins).

Leek - Stevenson (38 mins), Davis (57).

Cautions: Sports - Medwynter, McCammon, Moreman, Hilliard.

Attendance: 145

Liam Adams grabbed an 11-minute hat-trick in the first half as Stamford AFC beat Belper 3-0 at the Zeeco Stadium. His second was a penalty following an incident that reduced the visitors to 10 men with a red card.

The Daniels, who were watched by an excellent crowd of 308 today, are now 10th, but Spalding United’s slide continued with 1-0 home defeat at the hands of high flying Alvechurch. That’s six defeats in a row for the Tulips, all by a single goal.

RESULTS

Saturday, December 2

EVO STIK LEAGUE

Division One South - Peterborough Sports 1 (Medwynter), Leek Town 2; Spalding United 0, Alvechurch 1, Stamford AFC 3 (Adams 3), Belper Town 0.