Pirates Lose Their Unbeaten Home Record !

In a fast and skilful match at the East of England Ice Rink on Sunday night, Peterborough Pirates lost their unbeaten home record - but not without a real struggle against First Division leaders Altrincham Aces, writes Simon Thorp.

Canadian Don Boyd opened the scoring for the Aces after only 23 seconds, following good work by both Cicerchia and Gentile, the American duo. Peterborough hit back swiftly as tiny Canadian John Lawless found the net with two good efforts after 11 and 14 minutes. He was an outstanding figure throughout an exciting match. Altrincham ended the first period 3-2 up, but it wasn't long before Mike Andrews levelled the score early in the second, following a John Lawless assist. Andrews had peppered the Aces goal with shots from all distances although not all had the accuracy to test keeper Williams.

With the score at 7-6 to the Aces, the match moved into the final dramatic period. Although Altrincham took this one as well, Pirates made a brave and determined effort. In the 48th minute Rob Carnegie, Peterborough's other Canadian, smashed in a slapshot from the blue line, beating the Aces' goalkeeper comfortably midway up his left-hand post Then the strike of the night came. Tim Peacock, on loan from Nottingham for the night, beat three opposition players before selling Williams a neat dummy to slot home.

As the match drew to a close, tempers both on and off the ice began to fray because of the excitement. Altrincham pressed forward in the closing stages, picking up two late goals, but they were also thwarted by some superb keeping by Ian Cade, who had another inspired match.