PETERSFIELD Ladies cruised to a comprehensive 9-0 win against Winchester Ladies’ third team on Saturday.

Having had their previous fixture postponed, Petersfield Ladies were raring to go.

Petersfield dominated the first half but had only one goal to show for their dominance, with Hedges breaking the deadlock for the home side.

The second half was an exhibition of crisp, direct passing and goals from the hosts.

Shortly after the break two quick strikes helped Petersfield assert their dominance, and allowed them to settle into some slick passing triangles, interspersed with bursts of pace progressing up the pitch.

Hedges got her second of the afternoon, before S Bardoe deflected in at the left-hand post to make it 3-0 to the home side.

Substitutes Hegan and Bidwell were immediately able to make their mark with some driving runs into the D, and the fourth goal arrived after a penalty stroke was awarded when a goalbound shot was deflected off the line by a Winchester foot.

Hedges’ initial effort was saved, but she was given a second chance as the umpire ruled the Winchester keeper had moved before the ball was played. The second attempt was successful and took Petersfield’s lead to 4-0.

The goals continued to flow. S Bardoe found Day on the edge of the D, and although her initial shot was saved there was nothing the Winchester goalkeeper could do to prevent Bidwell’s reverse-stick rebound hitting the backboard.

The sixth goal soon arrived. Beaton regained the ball in the middle of the pitch and passed to O’Kelly on the right wing, who in turn slipped the ball inside to Hegan. She weaved through the Winchester defenders and then drove into the nearside of the D, shooting decisively to beat the Winchester keeper.

As the game went on, the ability to make substitutions kept Petersfield’s energy levels high, a luxury Winchester didn’t have – and it showed.

The unrelenting pressure continued to produce scoring opportunities, and R Leach and Day’s tireless running provided constant outlets for the central midfielders.

Petersfield’s next goal came as a frustrated Winchester goalie called for her defence to pick up the player at the top of the D, moments before Hedges slotted home her fourth.

Hegan drove to the baseline, sending a pass to J Bardoe on the right post, who fed a well-weighted ball to Beaton, who found the unmarked Hedges running in from the top of the Winchester D to make it 7-0.

Despite some Winchester forays into the Petersfield half, the dominance of the home side was underlined by keeper Arthur not having a single touch of the ball in the match.

Goals eight and nine fell to Hedges, who was available to her supporting midfielders. She made runs to the top of the D and the penalty spot, and finished with a combination of perfect timing and power.

The game ended with a final Petersfield penalty corner, which O’Kelly sent wide of the goal.

The ladies are in second place in the league, and have a week off before travelling to Southampton Ladies’ third team for their next match.