EDWARDS PERFORMANCE PLEASES SKIPPER

Petersfield travelled to Wimborne in their second fixture of the season. Captain Dan Grinstead and striker Alex Elms return after absences last week. Vice-captain Josh Alder is unavailable along with centre back Will Atkinson. The fixture was highly anticipated as Petersfield knew they were facing a strong opposition. Wimborne whom were promoted along with Petersfield.

Petersfield started strong, using possession effectively and finding the target with every shot on goal. Within the first 15 minutes Petersfield found themselves 2-0 up after individual’s goals from James Atkinson, a reverse shot into the top right corner & Alex Elms placing the ball past the oncoming goal keeper. With a 2 goal lead Petersfield began to lose their drive, momentum and structure which caused a number of unforced errors placed Petersfield under pressure consistently. This created many chances which Petersfield’s defence and midfield could only hold for so long as Wimborne progressed to 2-2.

Petersfield restructured and targeted specific areas in their game to obtain control of the fixture which looked to now be going in Wimborne’s favour. Petersfield obtained immediately and had Wimborne on the back foot after Alex Elms penalty corner strike flew into the bottom corner of the goal. Petersfield continued to press and found a further goal from Patrick Edwards, slapping Dan Grinstead’s through ball through a crowded goal. Wimborne gained a goal back on a counter from a disastrous penalty corner attempt however in the closing minutes Petersfield extended the score to 5-3 with George Hughes-Stanton capitalising from a penalty corner routine. This victory leaves Petersfield at the top of Hampshire Division 3 after two fixtures.

Petersfield next fixture: Vs. Fleet & Eweshot @ Bedales School, 17th Oct, 14:30 push back.

Team: Ross, Anderson, Harding, Rye, Martin, Edney, Hughes-Stanton, Grinstead ©, Edwards, Cains, Elms, Ramsey, O. Atkinson & J. Atkinson.