Petersfield 7 Hamble II 2: PETERSFIELD were aiming to return to winning ways against bottom of the league Hamble.

The hosts were unable to field their strongest team as a handful of players remain on the injury and suspension list. This gave development players Cleminson, Thompson and McMillan an opportunity to gain further experience of the men’s league.

Petersfield were soon undone as a counter from Hamble created a penalty corner which was stopped on the line illegally by Harding. Hamble scored the penalty flick as the ball was pushed underneath diving keeper Ross. The hosts equalised within minutes after a penalty corner strike from Elms. Grinstead then pounced on a rebound to score after Elms’ initial strike from another penalty corner. Elms increased his tally further as he slotted the ball past the rooted keeper after a fast counter attack from the left created from Grinstead’s clearance defending a penalty corner. Harris was close to adding his name to the scoresheet in the first half, yet the sound of the crossbar came to Hamble’s aid as the initial drag flick had beaten all defenders on the line and the goalkeeper.

In the second half Elms and Thompson harassed Hamble’s defence and caught them out a couple of times, and Elms scored his third goal to complete his second hat-trick of the season. Harris helped himself to two goals, with a well-struck reverse hit into the corner and a finish into an empty net after the ball was passed around the goalkeeper. Hamble came knocking on the Petersfield door with another penalty corner chance which was well struck into the corner past the stretched foot of Ross. The Hamble goal did not cause Petersfield to retreat. The hosts attacked even more and a well-executed move allowed youngster McMillan to exploit the free space down the left with a 50-yard run before striking the ball into the goal.

Petersfield remain in second place and face third-placed Fareham this weekend. They will hope to claim three points to increase the chances of securing their fourth promotion in four seasons.