The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
No more mistakes or the game is up for National League side
City of Peterborough can’t afford any more slip- ups after slumping to the bottom of the National Conference East table last weekend. While City were gaining a creditable draw at local rivals Cambridge City, the only team to start the day below them, Indian Gymkhana, were winning away at league leaders Holcombe.
Player- coach Gareth Andrew’s men are now a point adrift at the bottom and five points away from safety.
The team that finishes bottom will be relegated back into regional hockey, while the team who finish next- to- bottom will go into a survival play-off match.
City’s charge to safety must start this Sunday when midtable Old Loughtonians visit Bretton Gate ( 1pm).
Andrew said: “The Cambridge game was one we could and should have won as we were leading well into the second- half.
“But we can’t afford to let any more opportunities go begging.
“Old Loughtonians are a big name in English hockey, but they are not the force they were so we have to beat them at our place.
“They beat us easily earlier in the season, but we are playing better now.”
City welcome midfield maestro David Appleton back to the squad this weekend, but teenage talent Mar- cus Howard is absent.
Andrew reckoned Appleton would have made all the difference at Cambridge.
“With David in the side Iam sure we would have won last weekend,” Andrew stated.
“He is the most creative midfielder we have and with him back I can go back to doing what I do best and that’s playing up front and scoring some goals.”
Tom Hagues converted a Joe Finding cross to give City the lead at Cambridge in the 48th minute, but the home side hit back to equalise with afluke deflection five minutes from the end past outstanding City ‘ keeper Chris Vine.
City’s chances of avoiding the drop have not been helped by Indian Gymkhana’s midseason signing spree.
The Londonders have re--
cruited six new players.