Premier Division heavyweights slug themselves to a standstill to leave title race in the balance

Netherton United and Crowland Town fought out a 2-2 draw leaving the title race in the balance as the home stretch approaches. The city side still boast a 12-point lead over their biggest rivals who sit in third place, but who have four games in hand. In between the big two are Warboys Town, 2-0 winners at Stamford Bels at the weekend, but they have played too many games to have a chance of finishing top.

The Grange clash was therefore billed as a potential title decider. It didn’t turn out to be that, but they did produce a high-quality game which probably delivered a fair result.

The opening stages were competitive but measured. The first real attempt on goal came from a Netherton free kick that travelled through a crowded area and drifted just wide. Netherton then took the lead on 10 minutes through a well worked move. A precise diagonal through ball from Charlie Pywell found Jordan Neil, whose first touch brought him into contact with Crowland goalkeeper Aaron Fagan who fumbled, allowing Neil to calmly roll the ball into the empty net to give Netherton a deserved 1-0 lead. Crowland responded positively and drew level five minutes later. A deep free kick from wide was delivered to the back post, where the header back across goal from Harry Grigas looped over Netherton keeper Toby Hart to make it 1–1.

Netherton thought they had restored their lead soon after when Neil drove forward and laid the ball off to Pywell, who finished clinically, only for the assistant’s flag to rule it out.. Moments later, Crowland struck again, another headed goal from Grigas which deflected off a Netherton defender to turn the game on its head and make it 2–1 to the visitors. Despite the scoreline, Netherton looked composed and in control for large parts of the opening half, and their equaliser came on 31 minutes. Good defensive work at the back released a direct through ball into Crowland’s half which found top scorer top scorer Kyial West, who rounded Fagan and slotted home.

Crowland finished the half strongly and with moments remaining before the interval, Hart was called into action, producing a strong save that led to a corner, from which Grigas struck the crossbar. The second half began with both teams fully aware of what was at stake. Netherton created the clearer openings, with Pywell forcing an acrobatic save from Fagan after a well constructed move. As the game wore on, the tempo increased and the contest became more intense, at times frantic, with both sides committed and competitive. Netherton continued to pose the greater threat, including a close range opportunity that appeared destined for the net, only for Fagan to produce another strong save. The final moments nearly brought a decisive outcome. A free kick from inside the Netherton half, delivered deep by Mason Clarke, struck the underside of the crossbar and Freddie Hooke was unable to generate enough power to head the rebound past Fagan who made another good save The match ended 2-2, with Crowland likely satisfied to come away with a point, while Netherton may reflect on chances created and missed. Overall, it was a high quality, competitive fixture that keeps the Premier Division title race finely balanced and a strong advertisement for the standard of football within the Peterborough & District Football League.

This also goes for the official Phil Butler who had a very good game and controlled the match with authority and decisiveness when required.