Werrington Sports Centre was the venue of Cardea's first away game of the season and the pitch was bathed in late Summer sun. Tony Harper returned to the defence after missing a week, due to a poorly toe, and partnered Dave Spence at centre back, who himself was also returning after being destroyed by a late challenge against Fletton.

Cardea dominated from the start and forced early corners which caused problems for the Peterborough Athletic defence. Ten minutes in and Cardea had their first shot on goal with a header by Tom Rimes which the keeper collected above his head.

A couple of minutes later and Cardea struck the crossbar. A thirty yard ping from Adam Simons left the goalkeeper scrambling but his effort smashed into the crossbar and the rebound came at Mike Dandrilli at an awkward height and he was unable to convert.

The chances kept on coming for Cardea and Daniel Robinson and Dandrilli were both thwarted by the busy Athletic keeper from one on one chances. When Athletic managed to get the ball out of their half, defender Spence found himself alone at the back with the striker bearing down on him. A flick from the striker saw Spence's hand come into play and a free kick and a booking was the result. The free kick was easily collected by Anton Fountain.

Coming up to the half hour mark and Daryl Patrick finally put Cardea into the lead. Following good footwork and a low hard cross from Robinson the ball was fired into the net by captain Patrick.

Cardea didn't have to wait too long for their second. A brilliant ball over the top from Adam Simons found Tom Broughton outpacing the defence and he drilled the ball past the goalkeeper. It's now two goals in two games for the striker.

The early dominance had given a confidence to Cardea's first half play but unfortunately defender Harper took this too far when he picked the ball up at the back and beat two defenders, thinking he was Lionel Messi. His eyes lit up thirty yards out and he tried his luck with an awful shot, which only achievement was to injure his toe more and saw him subbed at half time.

Moments later and Dandrilli found himself with his back to goal on the edge of the area and produced a good turn to get in on goal but the keeper once again saved his shot.

Out of nowhere Athletic managed to grab themselves a goal when a clearance was charged down and the ball ended up in the box. The first shot was saved by Fountain, however the Athletic striker was first on the scene to lash home the rebound.

Just before half time Ryan Moore struck a great cross field pass which was latched onto by Broughton who forced a good near post save by the keeper. Half time was called and, despite the dominance and chances, the score was 2-1 to Cardea.

Phill Corleys made his Cardea debut at half time, coming on at centre back for the injured Harper. The chances kept coming for Cardea and Dandrilli ran onto a through ball, with his Dad chasing him down the sideline, and put his shot over. His Dad managed to fall over the corner flag in the process of his encouragement.

Minutes later and another through ball found Broughton clean through and the striker also shot off target. Dandrilli then produced a moment of brilliance that deserved better, he produced a great lob that rebounded back off the cross bar. Dandrilli managed to get onto the loose ball and was brought down in the area. No penalty said the ref.

The emotions were running high in several players now and a rash lunging tackle from Ryan Moore resulted in a yellow card for the full back. Despite getting a touch on the ball the ref deemed the tackle to be off the floor and dangerous.

With 15 minutes to go Tom Rimes was moved to right wing and his runs were pushing back the Peterborough Athletic defence, on one occasion he charged into the box and flicked the ball over the defender who handled the ball and, this time, a penalty was awarded. Rimes himself stepped up to take the penalty and, expecting the keeper to dive, struck it down the middle. Unfortunately the keeper didn't move and palmed the ball away and picked up the loose ball.

Peterborough Athletic were being limited to long balls and relying on their wingers to get them further up the pitch. Athletic winger Andy Miller managed to run the ball into the box but his effort on goal was sliced wide.

Into the last ten minutes and Cardea were forcing corner after corner. Rimes, attempting to make up for his missed penalty, had two more golden chances to put the game to bed. One header went over and another header went wide.

The final whistle was blown and Cardea had to settle for a 2-1 victory. A scoreline that flattered Peterborough Athletic. Cardea went to the top of the PSMFL Division 3 and maintained their 100% record. The man of the match was awarded to Tom Broughton for his second winning goal in two weeks.

Afterwards Kev Webster said: "It was a much better, rounded performance than last week. We controlled the game a lot better but we are still some way off the form we showed in pre season and against a different team we could have been punished."

"We have the attributes to be a team challenging for the top of the league but we need that consistency and control to see out our dominance in games. But that's 6 points on the board and our best is yet to come."

Next up for Cardea is Sunday 15th September versus Werrington Dragons in a match that will be played at Lawson Avenue in Stanground.