AYLESBURY 1, PETERSFIELD 2

A?MUCH-NEEDED win for Petersfield Town on Saturday was followed by the surprise news on Monday that John Robson, appointed as manager just a month ago, had left the club.

Local man Robson, a former Alton manager, had overseen the Rams’ second win of the season – and their first away from home since January – and the three points lifted them off the bottom of the Southern League Div I Central table.

Yet two days later came an announcement that Petersfield had released Robson from the position.

Club chairman Graeme Moir said the decision was nothing to do with the manager’s ability or experience.

Declining to go into real detail, he said: “The decision was taken due to the general situation within the club. Things were not developing in the way we had hoped they would.

“I am not going into the full details of this, other than to say the situation required us to make a decision on the future direction of the football side of the club.

“It is not a decision we have taken lightly and it was not an easy decision to make, but both myself and the committee have in the situation presented to us had to take a view on things and, as we always try and ensure we do, we have made what we believe is a decision that is in the best interests of the football club moving forward.

“I would like to thank him (Robson) for everything he has done for the club in his short time with us and both myself and everyone at the club wish him all the best for the future.”

Gary Lines has been appointed Petersfield’s first-team manager for the rest of the season. All the current coaching staff are remaining in their current jobs.

On Saturday, Petersfield deserved the points after a run of seven consecutive league defeats.

It might have been different if Aylesbury had scored early on, with George Hill making a string of fine saves in the visitors’ goal.

However, the Moles did take the lead on 20 minutes. Andre Oluknami received the ball on the right and after steadying himself, fired an unstoppable shot past Hill.

Jonny Montgomery almost doubled the lead with a powerful 35-yard strike that brought another vital save from Hill.

Having taken everything thrown at them, Petersfield hit back seven minutes before half-time. A cross from Matt Andrews took a deflection and looped over keeper Ashley Jenkins for Alfy Whittingham to bundle home at the far post.

Hill made a full-length save to prevent Kieron Turner restoring the lead before the interval.

The turning-point of the game followed early in the second half when Jamie Lofthouse-Smith was adjudged to have shoved Andrews over inside the box and Whittingham confidently stroked home the penalty.

Petersfield protected their hard-won lead with some gritty defending and it was a happy long journey back to Hampshire.

Petersfield: Hill, Searle (Graham), Medway, Cripps, Benjamin, Buckland, Tee, Wedlake (Green), Andrews, Whittingham, Miroy (Sturt). Sub (not used): Geddes.

Petersfield’s Russell Cotes Cup home match against Hamble Club was postponed on Tuesday.

Aylesbury United take their turn to host Petersfield this Saturday. On Tuesday, the Rams are home to Uxbridge.