Peterborough Sports Move Four Points Clear

Peterborough Sports moved four points clear at the top of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central table after making it eight wins from nine games at Liberty Way against second-from-bottom Nuneaton Borough on Tuesday night.

On an evening when the latest crisis to hit us all – the lack of fuel – cut the number of fixtures to just four, Sports marched on, taking a 16th-minute lead with a close-range finish from Josh McCammon.

A dreadful night cut the attendance to 309 but the majority were celebrating just 3 minutes later when on-loan Connor Shanks headed Nuneaton back on level terms.

But on 38 minutes, the Turbines were back in front with a terrific effort from Dion Sembie-Ferris, who hammered a shot past Tony Breeden in the home goal.

Then on the hour-mark, the visitors scored a crucial third from a header by Michael Gash at the far post.

And it was another headed goal, this time from Mark Jones, 6 minutes from time that made the final score 4-1.

Hednesford Town, unbeaten in their first seven matches, suffered back-to-back defeats and missed the opportunity to move into third place when they suffered a 2-1 loss at the Victoria Ground against Bromsgrove Sporting.

The Rouslers, playing their fifth successive home game (with a sixth to come on Saturday in the Emirates FA Cup!) returned to winning ways, breaking the deadlock after a goalless first half when they were awarded a penalty 9 minutes after the restart.

Cameron Ebbutt was fouled in the area and he got up to despatch the spot-kick past Pitmen `keeper Andy Wycherley.

However, the visitors grabbed a 76th-minute equaliser when Reece Flanagan drive forward and slotted into the bottom corner.

Just 3 minutes later though, the majority in the crowd of 421 – Sporting`s lowest of the season on an awful night – saw Joel Kettle head home Ebbutt`s free-kick to give the hosts the lead.

Back-to-back wins for Royston Town have lifted them up to fifth place in the table.

The Crows won 3-1 at Hayden Road against an inconsistent AFC Rushden & Diamonds side, who beat Hitchin Town at home last Saturday but have now lost half of their league matches.

The visitors got off to a good start when they took the lead after just 6 minutes when an Isaac Galliford cross was finished off at the far post by Josh Williams.

And 6 minutes later, it got even better for Steve Castle`s side when a mistake at the back allowed Galliford in to beat Dean Snedker in the Diamonds` goal.

The hosts got themselves back in the game in the 22nd minute when a bad back pass from Adam Murray was pounced on by Jesse Akubuine to slot past Joe Welch.

The second half was nip and tuck with a good many meaty challenges going in on the slippery wet surface and the next goal was crucial – and Royston eventually grabbed it with 5 minutes remaining – a superb volley by sub Brandon Adams – to make it 3-1 and game over.

Barwell won for the first time since the opening day of the season as they sealed a 3-1 success at Westwood Rod against a St Ives Town side who haven`t won in eight league and cup games now.

And it was a great night for the Yellows` former Macclesfield Town, Kettering Town and Stratford Town forward Ben Stephens.

He gave his side an early 6th-minute lead which Liam Cross cancelled out after 13 minutes.

The Saints had a great chance to take the lead 5 minutes later when striker Nabil Shariff was brought down in the box, but the victim missed from the penalty spot.

The rain made it slippery on the 3G but Stephens made the hosts pay for missing their chance to go ahead when he grabbed his second of the game on 28 minutes.

And the 24-year-old completed his hat-trick just past the hour-mark with a terrific 30-yard free-kick.