Peterborough & District League

Premier Division

Saturday 11th May 2024

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.02

Stanground Sports 4 Leverington Sports 1, attendance 27

51’ 1-0

56’ 2-0

65’ 3-0

90’ 3-1

90’ + 2, 4-1

@ Stanground Sports Centre

Peterborough Road

Stanground

PE7 3BW

No Admission or Programme.

With the M25 closed all weekend in both directions between J9 and J10, which would cause total gridlock in the area, I needed to head somewhere via the Dartford Crossing to avoid the chaos and chose this game, where 4th hosted 6th in the league table. A win for Stanground would guarantee them third place, but depending on Uppingham Town losing away at Wittering Premiair, could see them finish as runners up, whilst Leverington also had a chance of grabbing a third place finish, as they trailed incumbents Crowland Town, who’ve finished their fixtures, by six points, but had two games to play (including this) and have the better goal difference.

In blistering heat, where there were drinks breaks in each half, it was still goalless at halftime, but only thanks to the Leverington ‘keeper, who made countless saves to keep the hosts out and the visitors almost broke the deadlock, but had a goal disallowed for offside in the closing minutes of the half. Unfortunately for Leverington they lost their ‘keeper to injury four minutes into the second half, following a late challenge to an over hit through ball from a home striker, which signalled the end of their resistance. Just two minutes later his stand in was beaten with a looping header from 10 yards….scored by the player who had inflicted the injury on their normal ‘keeper. Stanground then scored twice more in the next fourteen minutes and the points were safe. Leverington did pull it back to 3-1 in the final minute, but a finish into the bottom corner, following a goal mouth scramble, saw Stanground make it 4-1 a couple of minutes into stoppage time.

Home to Stanground Sports is Stanground Sports Centre. The pitch is fully railed and has a pair of dugouts and an excellent playing surface. Ample car parking too. Toilets available in the main building and the only refreshments were hot drinks from a vending machine in the reception area.