Petersfield Ladies III 0 Aldershot & Farnham Ladies IV 4: APPARENTLY unaffected by December and New Year indulgences, Petersfield Ladies’ third team started positively in their first match after the break.

They appeared confident and focused from the first touch. The team combining youth, experience and enthusiasm displayed skill and composure. Roberts and Geer dovetailed nicely, which provided E Marks with opportunities to foil the tenacious Aldershot defence.

However, eight minutes into the game and against the run of play, a midfield interception was made by the opposition. Aldershot indulged in some creative play, resulting in an unexpected goal.

Petersfield continued to dominate the first half, but struggled to break down the robust and resilient Aldershot defence.

Amesbury and Lock fought hard at the back and made valuable interceptions, while Harding sought out Bardoe and Chandler with powerful drives into the corners. Midway through the first half Petersfield won a short corner, but Geer’s shot rose above the crossbar.

Aldershot moved swiftly and caught a recovering Petersfield on the hop. The visitors threaded the ball up to an isolated attacker who poked the ball past the stretching R Marks for a 2-0 lead.

After the break Aldershot moved up a gear, giving them the edge. Aldershot broke, and with Hardwick beaten R Marks’ brave spread denied a goal.

Shortly afterwards, the Aldershot midfield wore down Lester and Harding, while a forceful blow took Amesbury off her feet. The resulting short corner ensured Aldershot’s lead was extended to 3-0.

Ten minutes later a well-timed pass from Lock and a surge from Rushin down the left wing led to a Petersfield short corner, but the hosts weren’t able to capitalise.

Aldershot scored a fourth goal shortly before E Marks had to leave the pitch having taken a ball to the face. The final whistle left the perplexed ladies’ third team feeling they’d been denied Christmas leftovers by the opposition.