'Field secure point with late Rowland brace

With many of the junior players in the squad unavailable, a side comprising mainly veterans played out a 2-2 draw against a United Services Portsmouth team which had won its two opening matches of the season. US dominated possession in the first half without really threatening the Petersfield goal.

Field's main outlet came via the wings, with Jonty Roberts and John Budden running hard and stretching the home defence. A newly-laid bouncing pitch caused both teams trouble and, with half-time approaching, a bobbling ball broke to a US attacker with Danny Rowland's block tackle diverting the ball past Edward Black in goal. The young keeper was completely wrong footed by the deflection - a really unfortunate and undeserved concession.

'Field enjoyed far more possession in the second half but couldn't make the most of a 10 minute sin binning following an agricultural tackle by a US defender. Petersfield fell further behind when US worked the ball well through the midfield, creating space for their centre forward to finish neatly. A series of short corners followed and eventually the pressure told. Rowland slotted home with 10 minutes remaining, his short corner strike deflecting off the onrushing defender into the roof of the net. He repeated the trick five minutes later, crashing the ball home at the near post.

The best late chance fell to US but a combination of Black and Edward Roberts somehow managed to divert a drag-flicked short corner away from goal to secure the point and maintain the unbeaten start to the season.