United Services Portsmouth Veterans 2 Petersfield & Haslemere Ne’er-Do-Wells 2: PETERSFIELD and Haslemere Ne’er-Do-Wells produced an excellent fightback to earn a share of the spoils against second-placed United Services Portsmouth.
The Ne’er-Do-Wells were missing a few regulars as they travelled to a wet and cold Portsmouth with a bare 11 players.
The speedy United Services forwards gave the visitors plenty of problems in the first half, and the home side scored a very good individual goal before going 2-0 ahead with a well-worked short corner routine.
The Ne’er-Do-Wells hit back before the break with some strong running from Graham Vosper, Adrian Potter and particularly Stuart Martin operating alone up-front. Only two good saves from the United Services keeper denied the visitors.
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The Ne’er-Do-Wells continued to impress in the second half and gradually gained the initiative.
Gavin Marshall, who largely controlled the midfield, won a penalty corner which he duly converted with an impressive strike.
The visitors maintained the pressure with Martin continuing to cause problems with his speed and ability to hold the ball until support arrived.
The second goal came when Marshall again converted with a strong shot to equalise at 2-2.
The last quarter of the match was played at a high intensity, but the visitors held out with a combination of astute tactics, tight marking and tireless running.