After their Dorset away day last weekend, Petersfield Ladies first team enjoyed a welcome home fixture against Bournemouth Ladies 3s in better than expected conditions, with the predicted onset of Storm Bert.

Having won the first pushback, Petersfield began positively, attacking through the new and youthful centre midfield partnership of Zola and Georgie. Early signs looked promising with Daisy speeding up the right wing time and again, trying to provide chances for Anna O'Kelly and Alex Thomas in the D.

The familiar back three of Alice, Aoife and Sam dealt with the early pressure, and they also effectively turned defence into attack with some pinpoint passing and surging runs.

However Bournemouth's opening goal came from Petersfield over-committing on the left, and a swift and clinical counter attack from the visitors left goalie Alex without enough cover, one-nil Bournemouth. The rest of the half continued in a similar vein, with possession and chances fairly even, but with Bournemouth managing to convert one of theirs to lead 2-0 at the break.

Far from discouraged, Petersfield started the second half full of ambition with more strong attacking runs up the right through Alice F and Daisy, and in the centre, with Eva Caiger-Smith looking sharp. Sadly often only troubling the woodwork and not the keeper, the home side weren't quite firing on all cylinders. Penalty corners proved unproductive, with strong saves from the Bournemouth keeper, and rebounds not quite falling for the oncoming attackers.

Despite a tight Bournemouth press, the home defensive trio continued confidently to transfer across the back, finding the space and players they needed. Mazy runs from Emily and Georgie, and some tenacious and skilful play from Zola and Rosie on the midfield flanks, kept the Petersfield hopes alive.

Unfortunately for Petersfield, the second half mirrored the first - possession and chances very even - but only the away side managing to score, twice more.

And though not much consolation, both umpires commented on it being the most even four nil they'd seen.