Fixture schedule

[Steve T]

Much has been made of Banbury's tough December schedule. How does it compare with those of Coalville and Peterborough? Not well. Coalville will be nicely rested for Saturday's game and Peterborough reasonably so for the game on the 21st.

Here's the season from Nov 6th (FA Cup First Round) to Jan 11th (cup games in red; ‡Peterborough's game that day was abandoned):



Banbury have played 28 games (17+11), Peterborough 26 (18+8), Coalville 24 (19+5). Assuming no postponements over the next five weeks then after Coalville's match at Bromsgrove on Jan 11th, Banbury will have played two league games more than Peterborough and one more than Coalville. They'll want a good lead at the top by then; they'll want to beat both of them this month.

[didier]

Unlike "the good old days" when our Cup runs used to last 90 minutes a season eh !

[graham]

Be interesting to see if the game goes ahead tonight given the rain predicted for today........

[Steve T]

Getting your excuses in early...

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Friday 3rd December

Pitch problems, injury concerns, small crowds, but a new goalkeeper for Peterborough Sports as they continue their title push

Peterborough Sports are back on the title trail, but the club are still dealing with problems on many fronts.

Tuesday's 4-1 win over 10-man Hednesford Town at the Bee Arena moved Sports back up to second in the Southern League Premier Division Central. They are just a point behind leaders Coalville, but have a game in hand. Sports host next-to-bottom Redditch United at the Bee Arena on Saturday (December 4, 3pm).

But Sports have injury concerns and they have become frustrated at the standard of their own playing surface as well as the lack of support from the Peterborough public. Full-back Isaiah Bazeley, and forwards Dion Sembie-Ferris and Jordan Nicholson all limped out of the Hednesford game, with the former expected to be out for upto six weeks with a hamstring injury. Centre-forward Mark Jones is on his way back from injury, while another attacking talent Maniche Sani is currently playing while waiting for an operation.

Sports will also have a new goalkeeper when they host next-to-bottom Redditch on Saturday (3pm). Former Hereford and Kettering 'keeper Paul White has been signed from Premier Division rivals St Ives as regular number one Lewis Moat has increased work commitments.

"We played much better against Hednesford," Sports boss Jimmy Dean said. "We dominated the game even when it was 11 v 11. But if we don't sort out our pitch, we won't achieve anything this season. "It was a disgrace a week ago when we lost at home and it was only a little better on Tuesday. We lost the match last week because the ball bobbled over our goalkeeper's hand. "We are also having some rough luck with injuries. We are losing players from the same position. The forward line has been badly disrupted. Even Michael Gash has been ill.

"It's a tough game on Saturday. Redditch will be well-managed and well organised. They would have made it hard even without our injuries. It would be great if the people of Peterborough came out to support us. Our midweek crowds have been low and quiet, but this is our first Saturday home game since September 11 so hopefully that will make a difference.

"I was always told Peterborough wanted a top non-league club and now they have one. It's pretty much a team of local lads doing their bit for the city so please come down and when you are here please make some noise."

Sports' last two home attendances have been 175 and 204. They have attracted a crowd of over 400 once for a home game this season.*

www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/pitch-problems-injury-concerns-small-crowds-but-a-new-goalkeeper-for-peterborough-sports-as-they-continue-their-title-push-3480762

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* Average just 235 – only St.Ives and Biggleswade are lower than that.

[Sparky]

That report has a very familiar ring to it!!

[Steve T]

Ah well, rip up the OP as the players enjoy a welcome night off!