Verwood Town 5 Petersfield Town 2: PETERSFIELD Town faced a tough challenge last Saturday when they travelled to high-flying Verwood Town.

Frequent heavy downpours before and during the game made for tricky conditions but it was an entertaining match with the Rams matching their hosts for the most part before going down to a 5-2 defeat.

After an even start the visitors carved out the first real chance of the match when in the 13th minute Will Essai was played in, but he put his shot wide.

The disappointment at failing to take the lead was compounded within a couple of minutes as a close range shot from Olly Davies put Verwood ahead.

Petersfield were soon back in the game and had a spell of pressure which eventually paid dividends when in the 43rd minute an Essai corner was firmly headed home by Jordan Neal.

However, on the stroke of half time a fierce shot was parried by keeper Jacob Orr but James Guthrie seized on the loose ball to restore the hosts’ lead. The Rams started the second half well and deservedly equalised in the 65th minute when Neal steered the ball past Verwood keeper Ed Tierney.

But within two minutes the Rams found themselves behind once again. Davies went on a long run before seeing his shot deflected past Orr. In the 85th minute Guthrie slotted home to make it 4-2 and in the fourth minute of added time Davies completed his hat-trick.