Result of the season?

Match Report - Premier League Phase 2 – Soham versus Peterborough - 12th May 2023
Match Report by Terry Oakley
Premier League – Phase 2
Soham versus Peterborough
12th May 2023 at Ross Peers Leisure Centre, Soham

Soham Squad
1  Reuben Alam (Goalkeeper – played the whole match)
4  Zak Osborne
5  Lewis Cakebread
6  Luke Donovan
7  Scott Neville (Captain)
9  Ryan Norton
10 Stephen Jarvis (Goalkeeper)
12 Harry Parfitt
13 Darcy Quinn Sekyi

Peterborough Squad
2  Tom Hillam
3  Jake Reed
4  Declan Lander
5  Michael Carter (Captain)
6  Harry Hillam
7  Josh Aaltonen
8  Luca Oakley
9  Lily Messenger
10 Tyler Salmon (Goalkeeper)

Referees:-

• Zak Robinson
• Bruno Sosa

The starting play from both of these teams was hectic with both teams attacking with numbers the moment they could steal the ball from their opponents.  After 8 minutes the deadlock was finally broken.  Michael Carter managed to cut inside two Soham defenders and he hit a fine reverse slapshot which flew into the net.  
Soham 0 Peterborough 1 
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Shortly after their first goal Peterborough were awarded a Penalty after Josh Aaltonen was tripped in trying to burst between two Soham defenders.  He decided to take the penalty himself but his shot was well saved by Reuben Alam in the Soham goal and although Josh latched onto the rebound his flicked shot went wide of the goal.  Soham, shortly after this Penalty for Peterborough, were awarded a Direct as a Soham player was tripped and a blue card issued.  Luke Donovan picked himself off the floor to take the Direct.  He managed to scramble the ball under the Peterborough keeper and the ball rolled gently over the line for an equaliser.  
Soham 1 Peterborough 1 

This seemed to spur Soham into launching a flurry of attacks on the Peterborough goal.  Tyler Salmon in the Peterborough goal stood up well to that onslaught but was left helpless when a long slapshot from Ryan Norton was parried and the ball fell to the alert Scott Neville who smashed the ball into the net.  
Soham 2 Peterborough 1 

The next action saw another Direct awarded, this time for a trip on a Peterborough player. This was followed by a blue card for a Soham player. Michael Carter stepped forward to confidently lift the ball into the air, above the Soham keeper. He completed his move by tapping the ball into the roof of the net.  
Soham 2 Peterborough 2 

Play between these two sides continued to go back and forth as both teams enjoyed plenty of attacking moves. Peterborough then scored an excellent goal that was the best of the match. Michael Carter looked pinned into the corner of the rink with defenders blocking any movement for him. However, he managed to break free from those defenders by starting to move with the ball back towards his own goal. He then spotted a forceful run from Jake Reed from the half way line into the area immediately in front of the Soham goal. Michael lifted an excellent pass, in the air, towards his fast arriving team mate. His first deft touch allowed him to finish with a glorious shot over the Soham keeper.  
Soham 2 Peterborough 3 


Half Time:- Soham 2 Peterborough 3 
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Within two minutes of the restart, Soham were level.  A long slapshot from Scott Neville was cleverly taken out of the air by Zak Osborne and he reacted first to the ball dropping in front of the Peterborough goal by smacking the ball past the diving Tyler Salmon.  
Soham 3 Peterborough 3 

Peterborough then had a lucky escape when another slapshot from Scott Neville struck the crossbar of their goal and bounced to safety.  Peterborough were then awarded a penalty.  Although both referees clearly agreed on their decision, as both blew their respective whistles at the same time, it was difficult to see if the penalty award was made for a trip on a Peterborough attacker or a slashed tackle by the Soham goalkeeper.  Jake Reed stepped forward to take the penalty and Reuben Alam dived well to his right hand side to make a fine save and the ball was scrambled to safety. The last goal scoring action involved Michael Carter.  He collected a loose ball deep inside his own half and went on a great forward run before releasing a perfectly placed flick shot into the top left hand corner of the Soham net.  
Soham 3 Peterborough 4 

Final score – Soham 3 Peterborough 4 

Arthur Corr’s (Peterborough Coach) Man of the Match:- Michael Carter - 3 goals and 1 Assist says it all! 
Both of these Teams provided their respective group of supporters with an exciting, competitive game of hockey.  Both teams were committed to fast attacking play.  In their previous Premier League fixture, held at Peterborough in November last year, the final result was a 7-6 win for Soham.  Again this match produced a very close result and was well refereed by the two guys in fluorescent yellow.