Petersfield Increase Unbeaten Run

Petersfield gathered on the sunny Saturday afternoon ready to warm up, ready for the fixture against Winchester who currently sit within the Top 5 of Hampshire Division 2. As the pitch was being used by the Ladies teams beforehand, the Petersfield side gave full support until the pitch became available. Petersfield rushed onto the pitch, tactically set as momentum was gathered by Grinstead ‘words beforehand and the squad set up in their Pre match routines until the umpires signalled 2 minutes till play will commence. A sharp change of ends and last words of encouragement, Petersfield unleashed the roar of 3,2,1 Field!
Petersfield had control of the game from the whistle and were showing Winchester what to expect throughout their time in Petersfield. A fast paced, attacking style tested Winchester with wave and wave of attack. Some witty play around the attacking third provided great chance to go 1-0 up as Hughes-Stanton skilfully passed the Winchester defenders down the right side and slipped the ball across the baseline to Gray who sent the ball flying into the top right corner. Petersfield continued this style of hockey, however Winchester began to unpick Petersfield and soon overturned the game. Winchester held off the Petersfield players and channelled them into a position where they could steal the ball or force a mistake and create their own attack. Winchester did this effectively, soon creating their own chances of goal. Winchester were cheeky and aimed for penalty corners rather than shots on goal, however the Petersfield defence wised up to this after wrapping up a handful of penalty corners and hand delivering them. Despite the gifts, Petersfield produced a fine display of defence and denied the attacks at the final hurdle. Winchester carried on with their own style of hockey and grabbed 2 goals, one from a penalty corner play and another from overloading the circle. J. Atkinson (The Meon Hammer) had other ideas however and powered his way through the Winchester defence to level the score 2-2 after his younger brother displayed one of the kindest acts you possibly can on the Hockey pitch and passed the ball to him.

Both teams huddled together in their respective halves, discussing the pros and cons of the first half performance. Petersfield listened closely to the wisdom shared by Coach Chris and the plan of attack from Grinstead. Petersfield regained control of the game despite passing percentages lowering slightly. Petersfield calmly played the ball around at all angles, protecting the ball from the opposition as after all... If Winchester do not have the ball, they cannot score! The ball flew from each side of the pitch, frustrating Winchester. The defenders; Harding, W. Atkinson, Marlow and Hawkins stepped up and commanded the team from the back. This allowed the midfield of Hind, Gray and Grinstead to work closely together and pull the strings of the team like a group of puppeteers, off loading the ball to wingers Harris and Hughes-Stanton but also acting as pivots to support the defence. Winchester did profit from a sneaky interception and countered hard and fast at the heart of Petersfield and managed to sneak in front once again. Petersfield looked and turned to one another, shaking their heads in disgust of Winchester’s achievement. Petersfield picked their heads up, and immediately reacted in a move first displayed away at Southampton. Petersfield swung the ball round the pitch in lots of different triangles, giving no man of the opposition a chance to touch the ball, let alone steal it. The midfield let Harris out of the traps to run at the Winchester defence. This gave J. Atkinson a split second to open his drawer and select his choice of weapon. Harris released the ball to J. Atkinson whom carried the ball into the circle, drew two men close, raised his stick and struck through the ball on the back foot, sending the ball into the goal, levelling the score once again. The scores level, both sides increased the pressure, yet Hawkins was caught out. A stumble saw a walk of shame to the sin-bin as he was thought to of broken down play. Minutes later, Edney replaced Alder but was instantly sent to the sin bin for a foul near the half way mark. Despite Winchester having a player advantage twice, Petersfield held on, breaking down any attempts from Winchester. Petersfield back to full strength pressed on for the win... Hind broke down the left wing, supported by the whole Petersfield side as Petersfield pinned Winchester within their own 25 until a foul inside the circle was signalled... Penalty corner! Grinstead on the side lines sent defender Harding, like a messenger pigeon to give the routine to the small crowd of players. The players with a dazzled look on their faces after wondering why a defender was trying to join in the attacking play, put the command into action. Hind swiftly pushed the ball out to Edney, a firm slap across goal found the runner Harris to deflect the ball over the diving keeper into the net. Loud cheers from the side-lines and the spectators on the hill echoed across the venue, Petersfield were 4-3 up with few minutes remaining. Petersfield ran a tactical switch of players and pressed hard once again looking to kill the game off... Defender Harding, who previously demonstrated such expertise in the art of Chinese whispers felt guilty. As the Winchester player drove towards him, Harding raised his stick as if he was about to begin a sword fight. In his mind he repeated... No man shall pass. The attacker looking to outpace Harding until he slashed across the player, resulting in a penalty corner. Petersfield unhappy with Harding’s actions prepped for the routine. Broke down the plan of attack and begun a counter of their own. The play looked promising yet the umpires had seen enough, blew their whistle and waved the game off to a 4-3 win, allowing Petersfield to jump into 3rd place in the league and extend their unbeaten run of form.

Man of the Match – W. Atkinson
Champagne Moment – Harris
Dick of the Day – Tom Harding

Team: Smith (GK), Harding, W. Atkinson, Marlow, Hawkins, Grinstead (C), Gray, Hind, Hughes-Stanton, Harris, J. Atkinson, Alder, Hall, Vickers & Edney.