Tom’s ‘best-ever team’ out to topple Peterborough Premier Division title favourites

Sports manager Ryan Wood left Sports in the summer and returned to Netherton. He also took some top talent with him in Ryan Pratt, Alfie Ferguson and Andrew Irvine.

Sports have rebuilt under former Thorney manager Tom Florence who took eight players from the village team with him. There wasn’t a lot of love lost between Thorney, who have since folded, and Netherton either so tomorrow’s clash at the Grange (Octoebr 24, 2pm) should be a humdinger.

Florence tends to rise above the childish social media taunts that often travel around local football circles and he’s under no illusions about the task ahead for his side.

“We are underdogs,” Florence insisted. “Especially as Netherton are formidable on their own pitch, even against UCL clubs. They are obviously playing well, but we are in decent form and I’ve been happy with the way we’ve responded to a tricky start.

“Certainly other teams coped with lockdown better than us, but we’ve won four on the bounce and we’re improving, Lots of Thorney lads came over to Sports with me so we have players with plenty of experience, but we also have some talented youngsters. We have a 16 year-old goalkeeper and a 17 year-old left-back for a start.

“It’s easily the best squad I’ve ever managed. We are also playing football the right way and we will give it a good go at Netherton. They will field their strongest side for sure, but it should be a good, competitive match between two very good teams.”

FIXTURES

Peterborough LEAGUE

Premier Division: Cardea v Crowland Town, Eye Utd v Ketton, FC Parson Drove v Stamford Lions, Holbeach Utd Res v Stilton Utd, Leverington v Uppingham Town, Long Sutton Ath v ICA Sports, Netherton Utd v P’boro North End Sports, Oakham Utd v Moulton Harrox.