ARLESEY TN 1, PETERSFIELD TN 0 (Evo-Stik Southern League: Div I Central)

ANOTHER long trip proved fruitless for Petersfield as they lost by a single goal in Bedfordshire.

Luke Eaton had to make a smart stop within a minute as Arlesey stormed out of the blocks.

As the half went on, the Rams started to find space and tested the Arlesey defence with a number of good crosses into the box. However, a mixture of poor decision-making by the attackers and positive goalkeeping by Nick Thompson kept the scoresheet blank until the final moments of the half, when Arlesey scored the only goal of the game.

Petersfield will be disappointed with the 30 seconds that led to the goal. They won a throw-in deep in the home half, but managed to give the ball straight back to their opponents. Immediately, Petersfield’s defence was split by a long ball and Tony Williams crossed to the far post for Christian Tavernier to slot home confidently.

Arlesey continued to defend deep in the second half and hit the visitors on the break, although young Eaton, in fact, had very little to do. The Rams huffed and puffed, but rarely tested the keeper either.

Petersfield should have equalised in the 80th minute, though. A great diagonal pass from skipper Jamie Ford found Joe Briggs steaming into the box. His first touch was sublime, but he telegraphed his shot and Thompson saved easily.

The Rams had plenty of possession in the final ten minutes and won a number of free-kicks and corners, but it just wasn’t to be.

The home defence was well marshalled by Joe Steele, on loan from MK Dons, and Arlesey held out to move up one place in the league table.

*Petersfield Town’s involvement in the Portsmouth Senior Cup ended at Gosport Borough on Monday. The Rams gave a good account of themselves against the side currently fourth in the National League South, only to suffer another 1-0 defeat. Justin Bennett scored the only goal of the quarter-final.

*Petersfield host North Greenford this Saturday. On Wednesday (March 23), they entertain Northwood.