PETERSFIELD Town manager Mark Summerhill was frustrated with his side’s slow start after they fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to high-flying Bemerton Heath Harlequins in Division One of the Sydenhams Wessex League on Saturday.

The visitors raced into a two-goal lead in the first six minutes, which ultimately proved to be decisive.

“We never got going at the start, which proved fatal,” said Summerhill.

“They drilled the ball on top of us, and it was as if they knew we would be vulnerable early on. They were two really poor goals to concede.

“It could have been four or five in the first 15 minutes. We were all at sea.”

Despite bemoaning his side’s sloppy start, Summerhill was delighted with the way his side responded to the early setback and the character they showed to get back in the game.

“Once we got to grips with the game we were on top for the last 70 minutes,” said the Petersfield manager.

“We scored a good goal when Will Essai got on the end of a cross, and then it was all us.

“We were first class in the second half. We kicked down the slope and their keeper made a great save.

“It was one of those afternoons. We battered them.

“I said the United Services and Bemerton games were free hits, and for 90 minutes against United Services and 70 minutes against Bemerton we were great.

“If we had got a point against Bemerton it would have been a really good result.

“We finished the stronger team in the second half, which leaves us full of confidence.

“The second half was so one-sided. We got in behind them like we did away at United Services, and their keeper made a great save from a header.

“No damage has been done to us in the past two games.”

One negative for Petersfield on Saturday was an injury picked up by Jake Bourton.

“Jake’s on crutches and it looks like he will be out for two or three weeks,” admitted Summerhill.