Alton V 0 Petersfield III 5: PETERSFIELD’S third team took the initiative from the start, dictating the pace of the game and rarely giving away possession.

Within minutes Petersfield had pinned Alton back to their own half. Plenty of chances came close in the first 20 minutes, including hitting the post and three squandered penalty corners.

Hoe, Bott and Ankers dominated the midfield, pushing plenty of attacking play through Alton’s defence. The scoring opened with Cooke-Priest slotting in off the keeper’s pads after a saved shot from King. Although Alton were contesting hard and physically, Petersfield looked calm and controlled with fast accurate passing all around the pitch. King added Petersfield’s second goal to give the visitors a comfortable two-goal cushion at the break.

Alton were determined to get back into the match, but White came off his line to snuff out any potential Alton danger. Despite Alton’s spell of attacks Petersfield kept their composure and Plewes stretched the Alton defensive formation, giving Petersfield room to move the ball wide to Price on the left and Maughan-Taylor on the right to launch fast counter attacks. Both flanks worked hard to put the opposition on the back foot, and two more goals from King for his hat-trick put Petersfield 4-0 up.

With the match in the bag and just a couple of minutes on the clock, a nonchalant reverse strike from Stevens at the top of the D threaded its way a through a tired Alton defence and thudded into the backboard.