City suffer their heaviest defeat of the season

CITY OF PBORO ...... 0 HOLCOMBE ............. 5

CITY of Peterborough crashed to their heaviest defeat of the season at a wet and cold Bretton Gate yesterday.

Holcombe, who had won the reverse fixture 3-2, became the third team to do the double over City in the English League Conference East after outclassing the home side.

City fell behind after just six minutes when a switched short corner saw Richard Lane’s effort deflect off Jonny Appleton and past keeper Chris Vine and just four minutes later it was 2-0 when Hardeep Singh Jawanda fired home at the far post.

It remained that way until the break and City improved in the second half but went 3-0 down when Stephane Vehrle-smith netted from a penalty corner.

City created a number of half-chances but none to trouble the visiting keeper as the hosts failed to score for the first time this season.

With injuries taking their toll, City were forced to make changes at the back and the visitors took advantage to score two more thanks to Verhle-smith and James Kitcherside - the latter being the 50th goal City had conceded in 15 matches this season.

Results elsewhere mean City secured their National League status for next season but a fourth defeat in five matches ensured there was no celebrating.

Next weekend City travel to second from bottom Bromley and Beckenham and they then host Oxted, another side below them in the table, before finishing with a trip to unbeaten leaders Canterbury.