SYDENHAMS (WESSEX) LEAGUE CUP
TUESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PETERSFIELD TOWN 0 VERWOOD TOWN 0
PENALTIES (2-4)

A different team than that against Newport took the field against Petersfield. Luckily the squad this year is strong and has a mix of young and ‘Senior’ players.

Petersfield tested Anderton early with a high ball but an experienced and mature Anderton defended with panache. Good feet took him out of defence and a through ball to Vining split the home team’s defence. Vining’s shot was blocked in the 6 yard box by a defender and cleared. Watkins coped with easily with the counter. A line ball found Laurence and a run and cross was headed clear. A quick break and it was Maher’s turn to keep the score board silent.

End to end stuff followed and all of this within 5 minutes of the whistle. The next high ball into our box resulted in Kelly and his opposite number clashing heads. The game stopped for Physio intervention. Kelly went back on wearing a turban, whilst the Petersfield lad had to be subbed.

Smith and Maddiocks were on top of midfield. Smith sparked a move on the right sending Zanin away. Good feet took Zanin wide of the road block but the ball finished up over the bye line.

Maddocks for the second game running had to share personal details with the ref, following a tackle. The free kick proved no danger to a Watkins Maher combination.

Maher‘s quality was on show with some great handling as Petersfield tried varying shots from angles.

12 minutes and Turner’s ball was inch perfect giving space for Smith to power forward. Brushing aside a couple of defenders Smith slipped the ball wide for Zanin. A good cross dropped into the box but Petersfield bodies were numerous and the ball was cleared.

28 minutes and it was Watkins sharing personal details with the ref as his opposite number slid gracefully over the ridged surface. 8 minutes later Watkins was cut down needing lengthy treatment.

Petersfield used the reduced numbers to push on. Hall came into his own with excellent defending and distribution. Vining and Maddocks benefitted from one Hall tussle gaining middle ground to release Zanin. A turn and shot was easily gathered.

Watkins had to retire. On came the versatile Nicolson to fill in at full back.

A mad scramble inside our area finished up with the ball in the net but a flag for offside kept the score at 0-0 at the half time whistle.

Half Time 0-0

The second half was almost a repeat performance, Efforts at both ends but no goals. Turner came off for Butler after 8 minutes. The game continued end to end.

22 minutes went by and Laurence came off for Guy.

6 minutes later Butler decided to fill up the refs note book with a sliding tackle leaving a player on the deck for several minutes.

At 90 minutes we went to penalties.

Anderton scores / Petersfield stunned by Maher’s save
Nicolson scores / Persfield agony as Maher saves again
Butler – agony / Petersfield score
Vining scores / Petersfield score
Zanin scores / WE WIN 4-2.

Result - a win!