City of Peterborough Hockey Club men have a National League lifeline and the ladies grab a late equaliser after taking their goalkeeper off

City of Peterborough have given themselves a great chance of avoiding relegation from National League Division One after securing just a second win of the season at University of Nottingham yesterday (February 23).
By Alan Swann
Published 24th Feb 2020, 14:22 BST
Updated 26th Feb 2020, 08:44 BST
Jeorgia Carr (red) in action for City of Peterborough Ladies against Harleston seconds. Photo: David Lowndes.Jeorgia Carr (red) in action for City of Peterborough Ladies against Harleston seconds. Photo: David Lowndes.
Jeorgia Carr (red) in action for City of Peterborough Ladies against Harleston seconds. Photo: David Lowndes.

City are now a point from safety ahead of a crunch game with bottom club Leeds at Bretton Gate on Saturday (1.30pm).

A winin that game would probably lift City out of the drop zone with three matches of the season to go.

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For once fortune favoured City as Nottingham crashed a penalty stroke against the crossbar in the first quarter when the game was still goalless.

Action from the 1-1 draw between City of Peterborough Ladies and Harleston seconds. Photo: David Lowndes.Action from the 1-1 draw between City of Peterborough Ladies and Harleston seconds. Photo: David Lowndes.
Action from the 1-1 draw between City of Peterborough Ladies and Harleston seconds. Photo: David Lowndes.

City had to withstand some strong early pressure from the students, but gradually came into a game littered with yellow cards to score twice through Joe Finding set-pieces (one penalty stroke, one short corner) in the final 11 minutes.

“We have played well of late,” City manager Graham Finding insisted. “And for once we had some luck.

“This means our bid to keep our Division One status is very much alive.”

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City had also been in National League action the previous day (February 22) when losing 6-3 at Olton & West Warwicks, a final scoreline that flattered the hosts. The home side were 2-0 up early on, but a quality Ben Read strike, a Joe Finding open play goal and a Brendan Andrews deflection saw City sneak into a 3-2 lead.

Olton were soon level and then scored three times in the final 10 minutes to seal victory.

“It was a very open, end-to-end game,” Graham Finding added. “It could easily have finished 6-3 to us.”

* City of Peterborough Ladies are now fourth in the East Premier Division after a 1-1 draw with Harleston who overtook them the following day after also winning 5-1 at Maidstone.

City equalised late on through Jeorgia Carr after taking their goalkeeper off in favour of an extra outfield player.

City host Cambridge City seconds on Saturday (February 29, 4pm).

Related topics:National LeagueLeeds