Petersfield Mens 2nd XI visit Andover 3s

On a freezing cold day, Petersfield travelled to Andover to battle for a well earned draw.

The game started at pace and seemed to be all Petersfield, but Andover proved to be a much tougher opponent than their current table position would suggest. Gavin Marshall scored the opener but captain Phil Cornelius missed it because he was running to fetch the away shirts as the white of Andover was causing confusion with the sky blue of Petersfield. I am sure it was a magnificent goal as we will see, read on.

Despite all of the possession Andover were lethal on the counter attack levelling the game from open play. They then pulled away scoring from a penalty corner. Petersfield lost concentration for the middle of the first half and Andover scored again from open play bringing the score to 3:1. Petersfield had lots of chances, including some excellent short corners. Twice Ben White netted the ball but both times disallowed because the ball was considered ‘struck’ rather than flicked.

Petersfield did claw one back before the break with a brilliant individual goal from Angus Kilpatrick who beat three defenders in the opposition D, placing the ball casually into the bottom corner. Half time 3:2.

With the chances missed and majority of possession Petersfield felt aggrieved that they were not winning. Andover’s penalty corner routine was well honed and they scored another after winning the short corner from a counter attack. Again against the run of play.

Petersfield continued to have the majority of the possession but the finishing was not quite there. Finally a breakthrough in the form of Gavin Marshall. Playing on the left Marshall picked up the ball controlling it past their defenders on the edge of the D. He then burst through the defence and struck a well aimed ball back across the Andover keeper lifting the ball slightly to bounce and crash into the bottom left corner, a stunner.

With renewed vigour Petersfield were hungry to get something from the game. Ben Rowley, full of adrenaline, chased down the opposition keeping the Petersfield press high. His hard work paid off with Rowley levelling the game by stealing possession and working the ball into the Andover goal.

Unfortunately time was against us and the game ended as a draw 4:4.
A well battled game but Petersfield will feel that they could have won it.

Next week an early morning game against the University of Southampton.