ALDERSHOT & FARNHAM 9, PETERSFIELD 3

ALDERSHOT & Farnham maintained their unbeaten run in Hampshire Division 2 and increased their already impressive goal difference with this big win over mid-table Petersfield.

The scoreline highlighted A&F’s resilience because they were down to nine men during the first half and held only a one-goal advantage at the turn-round.

Aldershot made their trademark high-intensity start and within minutes midfield and forward pressure had created the chance for Jackson Brown to slot home the first goal.

Ian Jennings was seeing plenty of the ball in central midfield and a strong pass through the middle set up Ross Ferguson to beat his defender and drill home the second.

Jennings’ strong flick from a short corner gave A&F a healthy 3-0 lead, but the home side were earning the displeasure of the umpires and sweeper Charlie Rickett (yellow) and Jennings (green) were banished to the sin-bin, Petersfield converting a resultant penalty flick.

The Farnham side’s nine men dug deep until the pair returned, but a series of errors then helped Petersfield score twice more before Brown netted an important fourth goal for A&F.

The second half was a tour de force by the Aldershot forwards.

George Rooke skilfully rounded his marker to score the fifth. Heavy pressure then won a series of corners. This had been a focus for the team and practice paid dividends. Jennings got his second with the help of a deflection and Brown, after several near misses, completed his hat-trick with a deft touch.

To ensure the midfield were not left out, Max Heaphy scored for the second week running.

A spectacular mid-air clearance by Heaphy denied Petersfield a fourth goal. The game concluded with another A&F short corner and, with a changed routine, Ferguson scored his second with a drag-flick.