OLD Southendian’s men’s first XI went down 5-3 to the City of Peterborough seconds in their first match since promotion.

Having won promotion to the Eastern League Premiership B last campaign for the first time in 15 years, the Old Boys knew it was going to be a step up in class and so it proved.

Old Southendian’s started the game slowly and found themselves 2-0 down quickly.

This kick-started the visitors who began to put pressure on the home defence, which paid off thanks to a great individual goal from Alfie Hibbard who took the ball past three defenders and the goalkeeper to slot home from close range.

But back came Peterborough and they scored two more to put them 4-1 up.

Just before half-time, Old Southendian’s won a short corner that was converted by Tim Robinson at the back post.

Old Southendian’s started the second-half strongly but were undone by a counter attack as they fell three goals behind once again with 20 minutes to go.

But the visitors continued to put pressure on, and got their third just before the final whistle.

The Old Boys welcome Norwich City this weekend.

The seconds travelled away to Mile End to play a young East London fourth team, losing 1-0.

Taking a squad of 11 to compete against a 15-strong opposition was always going to be a tough task but both teams were evenly matched across the park.

The numbers began to tell as the game wore on with East London creating more chances which led to them taking the lead from a short corner. Despite the best efforts of our willing runners up front and in midfield we were unable to convert our late pressure into an equaliser.

Next week the Old Boys welcome Wapping Hockey Club to Warners Bridge.

Old Southendian thirds were well beaten 7-2 by East London, with the younger and fitter group in charge from the onset.

The Old Boys competed very well until the legs ran out with 10 minutes remaining.

The fourths went down 2-0 to Plashet.

Plashet have had successive promotions and started, racing into a 2-0 lead at half-time.

The Old Boys pressed hard in the second-half, creating many chances, but failed to find the net.

The fifths were beaten 5-1 by Chelmsford fourths as the hosts ran away with the game in the second-half.

The first-half was very even with the Old Boys having most of the play and creating many chances, although Chelmsford went ahead against the run of play.

Old Southendian struck straight back with a slick move down the left, which was finished off by John Chambers.

But a contentious own goal on the stroke of the break put Chelmsford back in front.

The second-half was all Chelmsford and when Andy Lewis had to go off after being struck in the knee, the Old Boys were down to 10.

Despite a valiant effort from the team, Chelmsford used their spare man to run out deserved winners.

The sixths team went down 4-0 to a strong Brentwood fifths, who scored regularly despite a number of fine saves from goalkeeper Roderic Buttimore, including a penalty stroke save.

Mylo Storer and David Jackson had excellent debuts in midfield for the Old Boys.