The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Dean says the title is now out of reach after an exciting draw
Football - Peterborough Sports are up to second, but...
Peterborough Sports manager Jimmy Dean believes the Southern League Premier Division Central title is now out of his team’s reach after they failed to take a chance to go top at Hednedsford Town on Tuesday night.
A 5-0 hammering of St Ives in a Cambs derby at the Bee Arena last weekend meant a midweek win would have sent Sports into pole position, but instead a five-game winning streak came to and as Hednesford held out for a 3-3 draw from a cracking contest.
Refereeing controversy and bad luck dogged Sports who took a first-half lead through Josh Moreman before battling from behind twice with goals from Maniche Sani and Jim Stevenson to claim a point.
Sports are second, one point behind leaders Tamworth and one point ahead of third-placed Royston who both have two games in hand.
“One of them might slip up, but there’s no chance both will,” Dean said. “Our job now is to consolidate a play-off place and finish as high as we can to make sure we have home advantage in those playoffs. If we win seven of our last 11 matches we can do that.
“It was frustrating at Hednesford. It was a great game and we did well to come from behind twice, but we had chances to win it towards the end. One shot from Maniche hit Cameron Johnson right in front of goal and rebounded over the bar.
“We didn’t get the breaks from the referee either and for only the second time in my career I went to see the officials after the game. We had a very respectful conversation, but we were denied a clear penalty in the first-half and they should have had a man sent off in the second half.
“I’d have loved to go top obviously. but I can’t be disappointed as we are still in a great position.”
Revenge will be on Sports’ minds on Saturday when they visit the last team to beat them, Hitchin Town, who claimed a remarkable 4-0 success at the Bee Arena.
Mark Jones, who missed the game at Hednesford, but is back this weekend, scored twice against St Ives with Paul Malone, Josh Moreman and Avelino Vieira also netted.
Yaxley hope to maintain • their play-off push in Division One Central by beating Barton Rovers at the Decker Bus Stadium on Saturday (3pm).