Peterborough and District Football League round-up

Whaplode Drove Rovers became the first side this season to take points off newly-crowned Peterborough League Division One champions Stamford Bels on Saturday.

The two sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw which was enough to clinch the league title for the visiting Stamford side.

However, they had arrived on the back of a 19-match winning run before seeing their 100 percent record shattered by fourth-placed Drove.

Bels created two good chances in the opening stages with former Pinchbeck player Jordan Neil dragging a good chance wide after Alfie Winters had won possession on the edge in the area inside the first minute.

Neil was then denied by a smart stop from Rovers goalkeeper Donatas Motuzis before the hosts started to come more into the contest.

Whaplode's side is packed with plenty of higher level experience, including Avi Vieira and Adam Richardson, while Josh Raven and Steve Jucikas have both been recruited following the withdrawal from the league of Deeping United.

Raven flashed a shot wide after a strong run before the hosts hit the front in the 14th minute.

Bels goalkeeper Keenan Murphy made a great save at the feet of Vieira and, although the visitors blocked the ensuing follow-up, Jucikas swept home the rebound.

Jacob Smith went close to bringing Bels back on level terms with a header from a corner before producing a fine tackle at the other end to prevent Jucikas from breaking clear.

Ryan Ellwood sent an effort just wide for Whaplode before Bels finished the half strongly.

Winters and Neil were both denied by saves from Motuzis while Scott Toomey saw a close range effort blocked.

The equaliser looked on the cards and it duly arrived in first half stoppage time.

Neil's free-kick had been initially blocked by the Whaplode wall but the ball rebounded to the Bels play-maker who centred it for Dave Atkinson to turn smartly and steer his finish into the bottom corner of the net.

Whaplode were probably grateful for the half-time whistle that sounded shortly after as the two sides continued to trade chances after the break.

Willimont was just wide with a header from a Winters corner while Murphy did well to repel a near post shot from Richardson at the other end.

Mcloughlin thought he had given Bels the lead with 14 minutes remaining only for the head of goalkeeper Motuzis to somehow keep out his goalbound shot.

Willimont made a great block to thwart a sweet strike from Richardson as the match moved into the final stages with Bels still in possession of the point they needed to take the title.

They could have wrapped up the win in the final minute of the contest when Winters muscled his way into creating an opening but Motuzis again came to Whaplode's rescue by saving the shot as the honours finished even before the title celebrations could begin for the visitors.

Long Sutton Athletic remain at the other end of the Division One table after a 3-1 away loss at Warboys Reserves with Calvin Bird scoring their goal.

Holbeach United Reserves collected their fourth point from the last two games in the Premier Division after a 1-1 home draw with league leaders Uppingham Town. Joe Millinson scored for the Tigers.

Crowland remain well placed for a title charge as they are 10 points off top spot with six games in hand.

The Bees beat Oakham United 5-1 on Saturday with Archie Rickards (two), Harry Grigas, Jordan Kirchin and Harry Tidswell scoring their goals.

Moulton Harrox's home match with second-placed Stanground Cardea Sports was abandoned due to a serious injury to Glen Wells who suffered a broken leg.

Sutton Bridge were 4-3 away winners at Hampton United Reserves in Division Two after goals from Alex Clements-Limb (two), Jordan Collison and Jack Thomas.

Tydd lost 4-1 at table-topping Netherton Reserves while Crowland Reserves were 5-1 by Pinchbeck-based Polonia.

Kacper Pilarz scored a hat-trick for the hosts while Rafal Komisarczyk struck twice with Klyden Lleshi replying for Crowland.

South Lincs Swfits' title hopes in Division Three suffered a setback after a 2-1 away defeat at Stanground Cardea Sports Reserves.

Kieron McConnell scored for Swifts who are now seven points behind league leaders Wittering with just one game in hand ahead of this weekend's meeting of the championship challengers.

Stamford AFC Reserves are in second spot having played more matches. They beat Elsea Park Eagles 9-1 on Saturday.

Long Sutton Reserves were beaten 4-2 at home by Sawtry Reserves despite goals from Simon Adcock and Jeremy Barron.