Petersfield Veterans 6 West Wilts Veterans 2: PETERSFIELD Veterans won a hard-fought game, largely due to Ian Pruden’s five minutes of genius.

West Wilts started the stronger side, and were well organised and competitive. They took an early lead through a smart finish when the Petersfield defence lost their shape.

As has been the case throughout the season, going behind spurred Petersfield into action and Liddle, White, Hulme and Cornett in Petersfield’s midfield started to run the show. Pruden had a couple of smart shots stopped by the West Wilts keeper before he hit an unstoppable shot from the edge of the D. Two minutes later he did the same with a stunning reverse-stick shot into the roof of the net before he completed his five-minute hat-trick with a precise reverse-stick drive into the bottom corner.

Petersfield’s dominant midfield allowed Rowland and Cornelius to press forward from defence, while Parker, Ulph and Dryden-Browlee maintained Petersfield’s width up front and the West Wilts keeper made a string of fine saves to stop Petersfield going further ahead before the break.

As was the case in the first half, West Wilts started the second period strongly and it took resolve from Martin, Willams and Rowland in the Petersfield defence, plus a couple of smart saves from Broadmeadow to maintain the two-goal advantage.

Gradually, Petersfield reinstated their midfield dominance and Pruden scored his fourth, bundling home Dryden-Brownlee’s accurate pass to the penalty spot. Ulph scored the fifth with a delightful flick high into the goal from Pruden’s cross. Liddle took the score to 6-1 when he slammed the ball home following a fine save from Pruden’s strike.

In the dying seconds West Wilts scored a consolation second goal, following concerted pressure on the Petersfield goal. Although Pruden’s acumen in front of goal embellished the score, Petersfield’s team effort was well worth the win.