Change of management and an unbeaten run to defend at PIMS Park
Peterborough Sports will be back in action on Tuesday evening when Leiston visit PIMS Park for a Southern Premier Division Central match, the first competitive game for the club since a mid‑September draw. The fixture comes with added interest after a managerial change and a modest but unbeaten run in the league under the new incumbent.
Mark Duckett, who took temporary charge following the departure of Graham Drury, has since been appointed permanent manager. Sports secured a 2-0 victory at Leiston last month in Duckett’s first match in caretaker charge, and the side have not lost a league game under his stewardship. The run follows a 1-1 draw at Stratford Town on 17 September, which had been the team’s last outing until the upcoming fixture.
“It’s a quick turnaround from the first game with Leiston. They are a good side with dangerous forward players, but we have trained well and we are looking forward to returning to action.”
The manager’s assessment underlines the challenge Leiston present: a team with attacking threats who troubled Sports previously. Duckett has emphasised preparation rather than complacency despite the positive results since he took charge.
Local clubs face pivotal fixtures across divisions
Tuesday and Wednesday’s schedule is busy for clubs across the Peterborough area and the surrounding counties. Among the fixtures affecting local supporters:
- Spalding United host Brackley Town in National League North, aiming to halt a run of three successive league defeats.
- Bourne Town, giant‑killers in recent cup ties, will host Bromsgrove Sporting in the FA Trophy later in November, while they travel to Basford United in league action tomorrow.
- Other local fixtures include Stamford AFC at Bishop’s Stortford, and a rearranged home game for Peterborough Sports against Alvechurch Town set for 24 November.
The immediate fortunes of the city's clubs vary. Spalding, nicknamed ‘The Tulips’, have slipped to 12th in National League North and stand only four points clear of the relegation zone, while Brackley sit 20th. Bourne Town, competing in the Northern Premier Midlands Division, occupy a relegation‑zone position and are four points from safety, with Basford United lying just two places above them.
Fixture list and cup draws affecting local sides
Several local clubs are also involved in cup competitions. Spalding have been drawn away to lower‑level Enfield Town in the second round of the FA Trophy, an encounter that offers an opportunity to progress in a national cup for non‑league sides. Bourne Town, after stirring FA Trophy victories over Southern Premier Division Central opponents Alvechurch and Banbury United, will host Bromsgrove Sporting on 14 November.
| Competition | Fixture (selected) | When |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Premier Division Central | Peterborough Sports v Leiston | Tuesday |
| National League North | Spalding United v Brackley Town | Tuesday, 7.45pm |
| Northern Premier Midlands Division | Basford United v Bourne Town | Tuesday |
Local cup and lower‑league fixtures also feature: March Town face Soham Town Rangers in the Thurlow Nunn League Cup, Yaxley host Godmanchester Rovers in the Hunts Senior Cup, and Whittlesey Athletic entertain Netherton United in a Thurlow Nunn Division One North tie midweek.
What this means for supporters and clubs
For Peterborough Sports, the coming weeks will test whether the early momentum under Duckett can be sustained across league and rearranged fixtures. The club has moved quickly to settle the managerial vacancy and to reschedule postponed ties, signalling a desire for stability while results are favourable.
Elsewhere in the local game, the results over the next fortnight could be significant in deciding relegation battles and cup progressions. Spalding’s need to arrest a slide and Bourne’s fight for survival in the league coexist with the potential financial and reputational benefits of FA Trophy runs for smaller clubs. Supporters across the city and the surrounding area will be watching closely as the non‑league season resumes in earnest.
