Men's 1st still on fire!

Petersfield hosted their 14th game of the season against 8th place in the league; City of Portsmouth. Petersfield were expecting to collect a further 3 points as the previous fixture saw Petersfield win 5-0 away from home.
Petersfield saw one significant change within the starting XI as first choice keeper Matt Ross is unavailable until March 21st due to overseas commitments. Neil Casson was recruited and given his debut for the Petersfield side within the posts.
Petersfield were fired up and ready to go on the whistle and did not disappoint from the start. Petersfield moved across the pitch as a whole unit causing frustration for the opposition as all plays were shut down with immediate effect. Petersfield dominated the play and found them cut short within the final third as the City defence broke down play along with the Petersfield strikers Edwards, Cains, Ramsey and Hind unable to produce a finish. City were able to break past the defence a handful of times during the first period, forcing two penalty corners which were broken down by the defensemen; Hart, Horton & Alder, along with forcing Casson’s first touch of the ball as he came off his line to clear an attempted cross into the circle. Before the half was brought to an end Petersfield grabbed the lead after Grinstead poked the ball over the line in a crowded goalmouth.
After revising the events of the first period City of Portsmouth began the second half in search of an equaliser where Petersfield had other ideas. Petersfield chased the opponents when not in possession and reset the pace to their style of play every time it was regained. Petersfield attacked with lightning pace down the wings were the home side was unfortunate to gain successes after Hind was brought down twice by the centre back in the circle when on route to goal. City continued in search of a goal and were Alder denied success from a penalty corner as he deflected the initial shot wide of the post. Petersfield continued their style of play and soon found reward as Ramsey slapped Grinstead’s cross home for a 2-0 lead. Hind added his name to the score sheet after an individual effort down the left wing before cutting into the circle and striking the ball into the bottom right-hand corner. Grinstead added a 2nd goal to his name after the goalkeeper beat Cains to the through ball, subsequently kicking the ball back to Grinstead whom slotted the ball past the keeper for a 4-0 lead. Defenseman Hart created a chance with a sublime pass down the right hand side to winger Cains whom finished his shot with a well-connected strike into the corner of the goal. With the fixture completely out of reach from City striker Edwards looked on to extend the lead even further as Edwards sprinted past the defence leaving only the goalkeeper as a challenge where Edwards was clipped and brought to the floor resulting in a penalty flick. Grinstead stepped up to the spot and calmly placed the ball into the corner to complete his hatrick and to conclude the fixture at 6-0.

Team: Casson, Hart, Horton, Alder, Martin, Macey, Grinstead ©, Edney, Cains, Hind, Edwards & Ramsey