Gritty Performance Brings Petersfield Back to Winning Ways

Saturday was set to be a challenge for Petersfield to break their away form in the Hants Div 2 league. It was a true success and a real performance of grit, determination and spirt shown by the team. As Petersfield arrived at the pitch it was set in cold, wet conditions on a pitch Petersfield knew would be difficult to play on due to the bouncy nature of it. Petersfield had to make sure they went back to the basics to ensure victory and claim those vital 3 points.

Captain Grinstead brought the team together at the beginning of the game to rally the team into the right mind set, so that they where ready for what was set before them. The game was important to win so that the objective of promotion could be kept alive.

The team huddled into a group to show the opposition they meant business as they chanted their team call. The game was on, and Petersfield started with the push back from the whistle. It became apparent quickly that Petersfield were going to have to work hard from the outset to take control of the game, as Winchester came out hard in the first five minutes. Petersfield settled well and started to control the game with fast passes and creating lots of space with movement of the ball. Terry, Grinstead and Gray controlled the middle of the pitch well as they manipulated the play and put pressure on Winchester. Petersfield put plenty of pressure on the oppositions goal, with Atkinson, Hind and Edwards moving well and testing the keeper on multiple occasions. Then the break through came with Edwards , who was passed the ball on a break away from J. Atkinson before beating two players and then lobbing the oncoming keeper with a sublime Flick from the top of the circle to score a magnificent goal and take the lead. Winchester piled the pressure on winning several back to back penalty corners, but the defence of Hawkins, Clay, Marlow and Alder with Smith in goal showed real determination in keeping the opposition from scoring!
At the half Petersfield discussed the plan of attack which would hopefully see them extend the lead and claim the victory. The second half started well with Petersfield applying the pressure early, Harding and Vickers made some great plays and Tackles in defence whilst J. Atkinson was denied two goals where the closest effort met the post and deflected straight along the goal line. Winchester still fought hard applying the pressure until, Petersfield had another break away where J. Atkinson had beaten the defender and then was in the circle 1v1 with the keeper... J. Atkinson convincingly beat the keeper with a quick change of hands and speed yet the keeper claimed J. Atkinson's stick resulting in a penalty stroke. Captain Grinstead walked to the spot calmly to the take the stroke. 2-0 as the captain slotted the ball into the bottom left of the goal! Straight after this Smith in goal made two crucial game saving saves which kept Petersfield in front.
Petersfield continued to apply great pressure to Winchester till the very end where the fixture concluded 2-0 in Petersfield's favour. It was a great display of grit and determination from the beginning to the end from Petersfield, which is promising for their next match with Basingstoke who is top of the league next week.

Team: Smith, Marlow, Clay, Alder, Hawkins, Terry, Gray, Grinstead (c), Edwards, Hind, J. Atkinson, Harding and Vickers.

MOM: Marlow
CM: Edwards
DOD: Hawkins