Petersfield Veterans 1 Epsom Embers 3: PETERSFIELD Veterans lost to a strong Epsom side, but were far from disgraced.

Epsom started the strongest and dominated play for the first 15 minutes, pressing Petersfield and giving them no space to release their forwards.

After ten minutes, Epsom went ahead through precise inter-play in the D, with the final pass neatly deflected high into the net.

Petersfield responded well, finally finding some space in mid-field, giving Pruden and Cleife chances that the Epsom ‘keeper did well to keep out.

Eventually, the pressure told and a miss-placed pass from defence gave Epsom a chance that they put away clinically.

Following the second goal, Petersfield strengthened mid-field and brought on Budden to provide an aerial route out of defence. The remainder of the first half was evenly contested, with Petersfield looking increasingly potent in attack and secure in defence.

Petersfield started the second half strongly, and pulled one goal back through Cleife’s thunderbolt from the edge of the D. They continued to press and Pruden, Parker and Ulph all had good chances that went unconverted.

Towards the end of the game, Budden went off injured, followed by two yellow cards for Rowland and Wilson in rapid succession. While the home side were down to nine, Epsom converted a penalty corner, effectively putting the game to bed.