City of Peterborough beaten in Cardiff, but the performance gives them confidence ahead of a big National League derby

Cardiff & Met are the title favourites and opened their own campaign with an 8-0 win Deeside Ramblers, but they needed an early goal and two very late ones to seal a hard fought 3-0 win over City.

The quality of the display means City will take great confidence into this Sunday’s (October 14) game with local rivals Cambridge City at Bretton Gate (2pm).

“This was always going to be a massive test for our new-look side,” City manager Graham Finding said. “But the way the team acquitted itself against one of the title favourites will provide an enormous confidence boost to a group of players visibly growing in stature.

“We are starting to look competitive ahead of a run of four highly winnable fixtures.”

GB Performance athlete Ioan Wall scored from a short corner in the second minute and added a second in the final moments soon after Cardiff had benefitted from a couple of lucky ricochets to go 2-0 up.

At 1-0 City saw a penalty corner strike of their own saved on the goalline in the game’s pivotal moment.

Influential defender Alex Armstrong should return to the City squad this Sunday.

City of Peterborough Ladies delivered an outstanding display in the East Premier Division to beat Ipswich & East Suffolk 6-0. Anna Maitland (2), Jess Broadway, Shelley Broadway. Leonie Hart and Lucy Dakin scored the goals.

City Ladies, who are fourth after two matches, host leaders Harleston Magpies seconds on Saturday (11.30am).