Petersfield emphatically avenged their earlier cup defeat at the hands of Portsmouth.

The result was never really in doubt after a devastating first 10 minutes when Petersfield went two goals up.

The first goal came almost immediately as their game plan worked to near perfection. Dean Tutt had been switched to centre, the idea being that he should absorb the physical challenges of the Portsmouth defence, giving John Phillips more space and freedom on the left to tease the home right-back.

This worked well all game and Phillips scored a match-winning hat-trick. First, a sweeping move resulted in a penalty stroke which Phillips calmly put away.

The second goal came from another excellent build-up. Simon Howard-Harwood and Tim Powell played their part before Tutt crossed for Phillips to put the ball away at the far post.

Portsmouth then rallied and pulled one back from a quickly taken free-hit, the ball being deflected past Paul Martin with the deftest of touches.

Petersfield, however, responded with a goal from their first short corner. A switch move allowed Phillips to beat the experienced Portsmouth 'keeper and complete his treble before half-time.

The visitors dominated for long periods of the second half, but had only one further goal to show for their efforts. A sweeping counter-attack, involving at least six passes, carried the ball the length of the pitch before Powell added the final touch.

Portsmouth fought valiantly to get back into the game, but breached the Petersfield defence only once in the dying seconds, scoring from a penalty flick.

Petersfield entertain Salisbury this Saturday in their final league match. A win would give them a chance of finishing third in Hants Division One, although Weymouth, one point behind, have a game in hand.