Peterborough Sports issue a serious statement of intent

Football - The unbeaten league leaders are beaten at the Bee Arena

Peterborough Sports delivered a serious statement of intent last weekend when toppling previously unbeaten Evo Stik Southern League Division One Central leaders Corby Town at the Bee Arena.

Goals from Avelino Vieira and Jim Stevenson secured a come-from-behind 2-1 win in front of 335 lively fans.

Stevenson claimed the winning goal three minutes from time to move Sports within touching distance of top spot. They remain third, but have games in hand on top two Sporting Bromsgrove and Corby.

Saturday’s win even nudged Sports manager Jimmy Dean nearer to predicting great things for his team this season.

“I told the players before the Corby game that these matches define seasons,” Dean said. “And what a terrific response they gave me. It was a tough game, but we stuck at it and deserved the win.

“It was a statement I guess. I am now confident we will finish in the play-off places, but winning the league will still be tough.”

Sports are at mid-table Kempston this Saturday and then host a powerful Bedford side on Tuesday (November 20). They will go into those matches without key defender Stuart Wall who suffered a dislocated kneecap within a minute of coming on as a late substitute against Corby and will miss the next two months.

“Stuart is a top player at this level,” Dean added. “I am lucky to have three excellent centre-backs at the club so hopefully Paul Malone and Richard Jones will stay fit.

“It’s a shame as we had just got all of our previously injured players back.”

PICTURE: JAMES RICHARDSON Avelino Vieira celebrates his goal for Peterborough Sports against Corby with manager Jimmy Dean.