PETERSFIELD PUT MARK ON NEW LEAGUE

Petersfield having gained promotion to Hampshire Division 4 after winning the Hampshire Open League 5 title last season looked forward to making their presence known. Petersfield gave debuts to new recruits Alex Horridge and Andy Horton in the first match of the season.

The Petersfield side looked under pressure for the first 10 minutes with Fareham attacking at every angle of the pitch. The defence play from Field held Fareham at bay and only allowed 1 shot at goal which came from a penalty corner. This was soon dispatched and the fire inside the whole of the Field team began to light. Field quickly gathered possession and began to take control of the game where Edney slotted home a Hind cross to put the home side up 1-0. Fareham put the pressure back on Field with many attacks. These were broken down and dispatched calmly by the Field defence. A mistake from Fareham’s defence led to a penalty corner where Grinstead’s shot on goal was saved however Hind found the net after the rebound, increasing the homes side lead to 2-0 at the half time interval.

The second half saw Field a lot tighter within the midfield and closing down the waves of attack from Fareham’s attempts. Field created a handful of chances for Cains who was beaten by the goalkeeper every time. The chances did not go spare for the whole second period as Elms collected his first goal of the season after quick hand dribbling around a defender and beating the keeper on his far post. Elms added a second to his name before the end of time after striking the ball into an open net after Martin passed the ball under the oncoming keeper. As the match was drawing to an end Grinstead collected the first booking of the season after receiving a green card for a late challenge in the midfield. The match concluded at 4-0 to the home side who now face City of Portsmouth in their first away fixture of the season.

Team: Bridges, Hart, Horton, Alder, Edney, Cains, Horridge, Martin, Grinstead ©, Hind, Elms & Thompson