Moulton Harrox 2
Pinchbeck United 2
Perennial rivals Moulton Harrox and Pinchbeck United battled out an exciting 2-2 draw in their traditional early-season Peterborough Premier Division derby on Tuesday.
Pinchbeck, who beat last season’s runners-up Netherton United on Saturday led twice at Broad Lane through Adam Abell and Tom Gosling.
However, goals from Bobby Patterson and sub Robbie Cundy earned a deserved point in Moulton’s first match of the season.
They made a lightning start, pinning Pinchbeck back in their half for long periods early on, but Elliott Price almost broke the deadlock for the visitors with a 20-yard drive which ricocheted off the outside of a post.
The big talking point was a challenge by Moulton keeper Brendan Taylor on Ash Murrell, who was sent sprawling.
Ref Phil Hayes waved away strong penalty appeals. Both camps said afterwards that it appeared to be a definite foul.
Pinchbeck player/boss Ian Dunn said: “For me, it was a certain penalty and a yellow card, not a red.”
Moulton assistant manager Paul Crowson said: “From where I was standing it looked a penalty but Brendan said to me at half-time that he got there first and touched the ball on to the player’s legs.”
Abell edged Pinchbeck ahead on 44 minutes, but Patterson restored parity within two minutes, turning home a corner from close range.
Gosling’s sublime half-volley looped over Taylor to put Pinchbeck ahead again on the hour. Cundy levelled things up late on in a match which never lulled.
Dunn said: “I’d have taken those two results from our opening games.”
And Crowson said: “It was a fair result and quite pleasing after a pretty indifferent pre-season for us.”
Tuesday’s Peterborough League results: Premier Division: Coates Athletic 3 Riverside 0; Deeping Rangers Res 3 Peterborough ICA Sports 5; Holbeach United Res 2 Leverington Sports 3; Moulton Harrox 2 Pinchbeck United 2; Peterborough Sports Res 0 Uppingham Town 4; Thorney 2 Crowland Town 1.
Division One: AFC Stanground 3 Warboys Town 2; Kings Cliffe 0 Oundle Town 2; Long Sutton Athletic 1 Wisbech Town Res 2; ICA Sports Res 2 Netherton United Res 3; Ryhall United 2 Ketton 3.
