Sloppy Stotfold out of Hinchingbrooke

The Eagles, depleted by injury, illness and suspension, made the long midweek away trip and began playing into a stiff breeze that had the ball holding up an little.

Peterborough NS started with a high tempo and high line that pressed the visitors back to defend their lines. With ten minutes gone the hosts were a goal to the good as their forward cut in on the angle and slotted into the bottom corner.

Stotfold were deservedly behind as had begun sluggishly but as the half wore on they did get more into the game. It still took until the 40th minute before any decent effort on goal when some good work from James Lamptey wide right, incorporating a double step over and cross, found the head of Jake Long but his effort went just over.

Stotfold came out of the traps with a better tempo in the second half and started to string passes together and press their hosts a little higher up the pitch. However on the hour mark Stotfold, sloppy again in midfield, conceded the ball allowing the Star no 9 to run powerfully towards goal and drive home their second into the top corner.

It was nothing more than Stotfold deserved as the effort and commitment just was not there.

They head to Berkhamsted in the SSML Premier on Saturday and host Wembley on Tuesday.