MATCH REPORT: City of Peterborough stumble in the final furlong at Epsom

City were weakened by three key players dropping out due to injuries from the previous day’s games leading to call ups for over 50s masters Mike Yeoman, Mark Fowler and Rob Fisher.

City were immediately under pressure from a very well organised and athletic home side conceding from the first short corner of the game after 10 minutes. City conceded again straight from the restart as Epsom surged forward and finished a well-worked move.

Two more goals followed before half-time with most of the hockey played in the City half. On the stroke of half-time City lost Jon Dakin to a nasty looking head injury following a wayward reverse stick strike.

In the second half City reorganised to try and stem the relentless flow of Epsom’s slick passing hockey by flooding the midfield and were able to generate some good possession of their own, creating a few half chances and several short corners before their best chance of the game fell to Yeoman who, after cleverly committing the keeper, slipped at the crucial moment while looking to finish the move and watched the ball roll agonisingly wide of the goal.

Epsom found time to score two more unanswered goals, running out worthy winners, while City were left to wonder what could have been had a full strength side been available.

City squad: Kevin Senior, Chris Samuel, Adam Drake, Rob Harrison, Mark Fowler, Peter Hings, Jon Dakin, Rob Fisher, Gaz Mohammed, Wayne Humphreys, Mike Yeoman, Kevin Ledbrooke, Neil Webb.