PETERSFIELD 1, ALDERSHOT & F 2

ALDERSHOT & Farnham and Bournemouth 2nd XI have opened a gap between themselves and the chasing pack, but in-form Petersfield have also been pushing to join the Hampshire 2 promotion race.

So this was a vital match and a narrow win for A&F in Petersfield’s own backyard should guarantee promotion for the side from the Surrey/Hampshire border.

With the stakes so high, both sides maintained a high intensity and Aldershot continued their happy knack of grabbing an early goal.

Jackson Brown, turning sharply for a big man, won a short corner which was duly converted by set-piece ace Ian Jennings.

Soon after, from another short corner, Jennings improvised to whip the ball onto his reverse, but the goal was disallowed for height.

Petersfield were now beginning to enjoy some possession, with James Atkinson proving a useful target man, and won a couple of short corners.

Farnham broke away swiftly from one of these and Ian Metcalfe dived for the hard-driven cross with stick outstretched, tucking the ball under the onrushing keeper and colliding with him. This was deemed dangerous play, the goal was ruled out and Metcalfe was sent for a rest.

The game was turning attritional and Petersfield were looking increasingly dangerous. A&F lost Straker and Charlie Rickett to injury, while Metcalfe was again pulled up for dangerous play and this time received a red card.

A&F down to ten and Petersfield took advantage to equalise with 15 minutes to go.

But Ben Greene always caused Petersfield problems and it was he who created the decisive goal. After ducking past a couple challenges on the right, Greene played in Ross Ferguson whose ball towards the far post might have been heading in before Brown made sure with the final touch, simultaneously guaranteeing victory and promotion.