HOCKEY: City of Peterborough go second after defeating their Dereham hoodoo

The Norfolk-based side always cause City problems - they forced a 3-3 draw at Bretton Gate earlier this season - but a display described as ‘professional’ by manager Graham Finding saw the title-chasers to victory in their firts game after the mid-winter break.

City dominated play from start to finish, and created a couple of good early chances, From their first short corner after 10 minutes, City were only denied by a fine last ditch save on the line, but Joe Finding made no mistake with the second short corner to give his side a well deserved lead after 15 minutes.

And that lead was quickly doubled, with an excellent finish from Sam Anderson following good unselfish approach play from Adam Wilson.

Dereham had their chances, and were always dangerous on the break, but a fine defensive display kept them at bay, resulting in a 2-0 half-time scoreline.

The second half was again dominated by City, but with Dereham continuing to threaten on the counter-attack, but the visitors achieved their pre-match target of being the first side to prevent Dereham from scoring this season.

A couple of fine saves from the Dereham keeper, in particular from a great reverse stick strike from Ben Read, meant that City were unable to build on the 2-0 cushion, but they still saw the game out in comfortable style for a very useful three points.

With Old Loughts and St Albans not playing due to indoor commitments this moved City to second in the table. Man of the match was Ross Ambler.