The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
It’s a tale of three cities at Bretton Gate this weekend
Hockey - City of Peterborough up to fourth after two Premier A Division wins in a row
It’s a huge weekend ahead for in-form City of Peterborough as they seek a third straight East Premier A Division win on the bounce as well as progress in the English Hockey Cup. City will start as favourites to beat both Cambridge City seconds (Saturday, 1pm) and Norwich City (Sunday, 1.30pm) at Bretton Gate, but manager Graham Finding is wary of both opponents.
Finding said: “Cambridge City’s first XI are riding high at National League level after recruiting heavily in the close season.
“That’s had a knock-on effect down the club and their second team are the only team to beat East League leaders St Albans and third-placed Old Loughtonians this season.
“We will therefore have to be at aour absolute best to secure a third straight win.
“Norwich play a division below us in the East League, but they have won five of their six matches so a tough test is expected. We are keen to get through though and get the chance to have a game against one of the biggest teams in the country.”
City warmed up for their big weekend with a 2-1 Premier A Division win at previously unbeaten Ipswich last weekend. City came from behind to win with second-half goals from Tom Hagues and Ross Ambler to move up to fourth place.
“We are improving nicely,” Finding added. “We are showing the patience, confidence and game management that were notably lacking last season.”
Paul Hilldson cracked a hat-trick as City seconds maintained their fine start to the Premier B Division with a 5-2 win over bottom club Har- leston. City’s fourths, sixths and eighths also won.
The sixths beat local rivals Deeping Bourne seconds 3-0 with goals from Wayne Humphreys (2) and Simon Buckley.
The eighths have a 100 per cent winning record in Division Six North West (North) after a solitary goal from Charles Scehlpe saw off Cambs Nomads thirds.
City of Peterborough Ladies came back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to draw 3-3 at East Division One North bottom club Letchworth.
Lauren Finding and Katie Lee shot City level before half-time before Tierney Augustine continued her goala- game record with a late equaliser.
City thirds collected their first point of the season in Division Three North West from a 0-0 draw with fellow strugglers Spalding seconds.
Spalding firsts gained an excellent 1-1 Division One draw at Blueharts thanks to a late Di Bevan goal and she was also on target in a 2-2 English Hockey Trophy draw with Norwich City. Spalding won 5-3 on penalties.
Spalding men’s thirds maintained their six-goalsper game average, but lost for the first time in Division Four North West, 7-6 to Cambridge City fifths.