Petersfield 2's turn over league leaders in a thrilling 7-0 victory

Billed as a tough clash at the top of the league with Petersfield lying fourth hosting league leaders Gillingham, the match certainly delivered on action. A high paced start from both teams saw some great end to end play. It was Petersfield though, who capitalised on their first real opportunity with Street finding the gap to slot past the sliding keeper before being upended and having to leave the pitch. Gillingham immediately countered forcing the home defence to work hard to protect the 1-0 lead. Petersfield turning solid defence into fast counterattack caught Gillingham on the back foot. R Plewes tipping in King’s shot to put Petersfield 2-0 up.
With Gillingham keen to establish a footing in the game, the second half opened with some tense moments in front of the Petersfield goal. Broadmeadow showing his athleticism diving full stretch to protect the 2-0 lead.
Having weathered the pressure, Petersfield pushed back with Cleife working hard in midfield to create some great angles and fast attacking passages of play. Petersfield’s pressure was rewarded again with King’s strike just inside the D to put Field 3-0 up. A textbook short corner stopped by T. Cooke-Priest, slipped for Bott to neatly slot past the rushing Gillingham put Petersfield 4-0 up. Gillingham feeling the mounting pressure changed formation trying to add weight to their defence only for Plewes to slot home Petersfield’s fifth.
Petersfield were in confident stride now and eager to pile on more attacking pressure. A deflected shot from the Gillingham keeper provided Beacham with his first opportunity to add to the score sheet to make it 6-0.
Gillingham, keen to reduce the goal difference rallied hard, but only to be frustrated time and again by Broadmeadow, Francis and Housden who were an impenetrable defensive wall, snuffing out any Gillingham hope. Icing on the cake was provided by King’s blast into the top corner from Bott’s set up giving Petersfield a 7-0 victory over the league leaders at the final whistle.
An exceptional team performance from Petersfield II, determined not to allow Gillingham to gain any foothold in the game.