Petersfield’s men’s second team return to winning ways with late goal

PETERSFIELD Hockey Club’s men’s second team returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory against Aldershot and Farnham’s third team on Saturday.

Lashing rain and wind greeted the teams as they took to the field. The home team settled first, dominating possession in the first ten minutes with Aldershot and Farnham limited to a just a few breakaways into the Petersfield half.

It was Aldershot and Farnham, however, who took the lead with a well-taken opportunity coming from a swift breakaway counter-attack.

Petersfield stuck to their guns throughout the first half, going close several times, but they were thwarted by an impressive display by the Aldershot and Farnham keeper. As the first half drew to a close, the Petersfield pressure finally delivered a well-deserved equaliser as Nick Budden fired low into the goal.

The second half was closely fought with both teams continuing to seek the advantage and both keepers having to make important saves to keep the sides level.

With the weather not letting up, both sides struggled on the slippery surface. This nearly cost Petersfield on one occasion when Aldershot and Farnham were put clear only for the home team’s keeper, Mark Broadmeadow, to come to the rescue once more.

As time pressed on Petersfield began to dominate possession once more with Jacob Housden causing problems with a series of marauding drives from defence deep into the opposition half.

With the final whistle approaching, Lee Harris drove towards goal and hit a stunning reverse-stick shot past the keeper into the top right-hand corner of the Aldershot and Farnham goal.