Petersfield Steal 3rd Spot

Petersfield hosted last placed Southampton in the weekend fixture where they were eager to bounce back from the previous narrow loss against Chichester.

Petersfield arrived full of energy and soon began the match preparations under the leadership of Captain Grinstead and Vice-Captain Clay. Game tactics shared and understood, the side was ready for the starting whistle.

On the whistle... Petersfield flew into action, immediately controlling the game. Petersfield built wave and wave of attack, targeting the oppositions right yet Southampton held firm. Southampton sat deep and held off the Petersfield efforts. Petersfield looked to obtain a further advantage with a handful of penalty corners, yet a well rehearsed defensive line prevented the ball from crossing the line time and time again.
Southampton had limited chances within the first half as the Petersfield team worked hard to steal possession back from the visitors, yet a well worked counter attack found the home side 1-0 down as a 2v1 allowed for a free shot into an open goal. Petersfield restarted and continued with there efforts and were soon rewarded as forward Harris squeezed a shot past the goalkeeper.

The second half saw a more balanced game, Southampton appeared to have found their own rhythm on the Petersfield pitch yet Petersfield passing accuracy and variations increased, causing the Southampton defence havoc when attempting to mark the forwards. Petersfield secured a penalty corner after Verney was fouled in the circle which Harris deflected into the side netting, out of reach. The momentum raised the Petersfield spirits, leading to a 3rd goal scored by J. Atkinson. Southampton responded with their own penalty corner routine yet the last burst of energy came to no more and left the result at 3-2 in Petersfield's favour.

Petersfield jump into 3rd spot within Hampshire Division 2 and look forward to their fixture away to Bournemouth where they will look to claim 3 more points and keep the chase on for the 2nd promotion spot.

Team: Broadmeadow, Harding, Clay, Rye, W. Atkinson, Terry, Gray, Grinstead (C), Verney, Hind, J. Atkinson, Vickers, Harris & Hawkins.

MOM: Verney
CM: Rye
DOD: Clay