Petersfield Town manager Joe Lea praised his side’s response to falling behind as the Rams swept aside Amesbury Town 5-1 in Division One of the Wessex League on Saturday.
The visitors took the lead in the 22nd minute, but the Rams equalised before half time and then blew the visitors away with four goals in the second half.
“Amesbury’s goal was a bit of bad luck as it was a deflected free kick,” said Lea. “We knew Amesbury would dig in after taking the lead, but the equaliser before half time was really important for us.
“At half time we said Amesbury are there for the taking.
“Overall, it was a really good performance, apart from perhaps the first 30 minutes.”
Amesbury took the lead on 22 minutes after Zak Sharp gave away a free kick. Morgan Harvey stepped up, and his shot deflected off the head of Connor Hoare and into the far corner.
Despite going behind for the first time in 12 games, the Rams pushed for an equaliser. Paul Agbesiyi headed over and Ollie Davies had a shot pushed wide.
The Rams appealed for a penalty before half time when Archie Greenough clashed with Amesbury keeper Nico Trojanowski. The referee deemed it a 50/50 and Agbesiyi was sent to the sin bin for his response.
The Rams then scored two quick goals after half time. Hoare’s cleared free kick came out to Davies, whose effort swerved in the air. The Amesbury keeper got a glove to Davies’ effort, but couldn’t keep it out.
In the 51st minute Greenough scored his second of the afternoon. Amesbury’s left back tried to shield the ball from Hoare, but Greenough stole the ball and rolled his finish past the keeper.
Petersfield’s substitutes made a positive impact, and Mino Djuara scored the fourth goal on 77 minutes after coming off the bench.
Kieran Alcock played a lovely-weighted pass through the backline to Djuara, who shifted to the left and hit his effort into the far corner.
Goal number five arrived in the 90th minute. Charlie Merritt’s low cross was met by an unmarked Sharp in the middle of the six-yard box, and Sharp swept the ball into the far corner.
Petersfield won 3-0 at home to Millbrook on Tuesday night. Archie Greenough, Connor Hoare and Ollie Davies scored the goals.
Petersfield Town’s reserve team crashed to a comprehensive 6-0 defeat at a strong Romsey Town reserve side who featured a number of players who are part of Eastleigh’s Academy.