Ladies 1's hold top spot despite playing with 10

Sitting at the top of the table having celebrated three emphatic victories, Petersfield travelled to Fareham this weekend. Despite having only 10 players, this game would be dominated by Petersfield from the push back.

Petersfield put the home side under pressure within the first five minutes , denying their opponents any opportunity to make advances beyond their own third of the pitch. O’kelly , S Bardoe and Hedges frustrated their opponents by restricting space and movement.
The tactic paid off and Petersfield took control very early on providing scoring opportunities for J Bardoe and A O’kelly . Both were well positioned to convert but denied by a tenacious defence.

It was Easton’s emphatic tackle centre pitch dispossessing a perplexed Farnham player that lead to the first goal . Spreading the ball wide her heavily disguised pass found Beaton who pushed the ball neatly into the path of the athletic Hegan. Taking on her opponent with ease, a theme for the afternoon , Hegan found the P spot with accuracy from which Hedges was able to drive the ball over the line for her first goal.

Hedges was able to add another to her tally shortly after when Llewelyn at right back calmly deprived Fareham during a rare midfield attack , initiating a switch of play which lead to a string of passes between Sebastian Todd and Easton. Easton slipped the ball to O’kelly who taking on her opponent unsettled the defence and supplied Hedges who took full advantage.; 2-0 Petersfield.

Before half time S.Bardoe receiving the ball mid left found Beaton . There was a fervent exchange of passes where S.Bardoe was able to set up Beaton poised on the edge of the D . She promptly delivered a screaming shot resulting in Petersfield’s third goal.

After the break Peterfield continued to keep the home team at bay . The well rehearsed press to prevent Fareham making any advance from their 16’s
was a resounding success as Petersfield closed out all options.

The result of this was steals by O’kelly and Hedges who fed Hegan at any opportunity. The young player quietly confident at right mid , was a great asset to the team , taking on and exhausting the defence she exploited the wing claiming ownership of the right channel . When driving the base line at any opportunity she provided many chances two of which were converted by Hedges. A one two exchange with J. Bardoe lead to Hegan herself penetrating the D and flicking a shot with great accuracy into the right hand corner of the goal.

Petersfield were unfortunate to concede a goal against the run of play and Jones untroubled until that point was beaten by a rare but unstoppable shot.

Both Beaton and Easton’s efforts and commitment to win every ball paid off as they consumed the midfield area , linking well with Llewelyn , Sebastian-Todd and O’kelly Petersfield forced a short corner. It was captain Easton who this time accepting an accurate injection from S.Bardoe rattled the backboard for a comfortable total of 7, delighted to be at the helm of a team who remain unbeaten this season.