Diddy Stop Turbines 100% Record

Peterborough Sports 0-0 Didcot Town - report by Stewart Unsworth

Didcot ended Peterborough Sports’ 100% winning start to the league campaign with a grinding 0-0 draw at the Bee Arena on Saturday. The vast majority of the game would be the definition of ‘cancelling each other out’ and although Sports created a couple of chances towards the end a winner would have been harsh on Diddy, who were missing seven key players and again operated with no recognised striker.

The Turbines had the wind in their sails from the kick-off and dominated possession. However, Didcot either crowded them out or put in vital interceptions to the extent that the only shot on goal in the first twenty minutes was the visitors’ Seth Humphries blasting wide of the post.

Peterborough continued to press without working Diddy keeper Leigh Bedwell; the closest they came to scoring in the first period was a complete mis-kick by Avelino Vieira when he was only six yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Ollie Thomas blocked a goalbound effort early in the second half and with Diddy unable to offer much of an attacking threat it was down to their resilient defence to keep the scoreline blank. The Railwaymen shut Sports out but had to withstand a late flurry where home captain Mark Jones was denied twice; firstly by Adam Learoyd blocking his shot after Jordan Brown’s low cross picked him out and then keeper Leigh Bedwell smartly smothered a close range volleyed effort.

The valuable point keeps the Railwaymen in range of their opponents and the division’s other pacesetters Bromsgrove and Corby. Next Saturday Didcot compete in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup and have a chance for revenge when they travel to Hitchin Town, who beat Diddy in the League Cup final last season.

Didcot: Bedwell; Barder; McNeill; Hayden; Carnell; Learoyd; Gardner (Isaac 61); Thomas (Akinlusi 77); Williams; Humphries (Cattell 90+1); Woodley.

Subs not used: Cattell; Ballard; Young.