Aldershot & Farnham and Petersfield drew 4-4 at Heath End last Saturday in a game that generally lacked quality but was punctuated with moments of individual skill.

The dry pitch conditions made it difficult to play fluid hockey with inconsistent officiating causing high levels of frustration for both sides and resulted in poor discipline as the game progressed.

Petersfield took an early lead with a close-range finish, after a blatant foot by their forward outside the D was missed by the umpires and play allowed to progress.

Jonny Groves replied for A&F showing good strength in the ‘D before rifling home, but it wasn’t long before Petersfield regained the lead.
A Stu Morhall rebound goal at a short corner ensured A&F went into the break on level terms.

A&F started the second half well as Charlie Johnson put A&F ahead for the first time in the game from mazy dribble to the left goal line and across saw him finish neatly past the goalkeeper. He got his second goal not long after diving to meet a precise ball from younger brother Harry.

James Atkinson with a mazy dribble fired a shot which hit the crossbar leaving Henry Bott a simple tap in and then Atkinson with another dribble that left the A&F defenders dazed struck a reverse strike into the top left-hand corner from the top of the ‘D.

A&F were left disappointed in their performance and to have dropped points having been 4-2 up in the second half.

Both teams had to contend periods in the second half with reduced playing numbers. Alexander Young was given a ten-minute yellow for Petersfield for what looked little more than a coming together with Jamie Findlayerson. Harry Johnson and Stu Morhall both had two visits to the sin bin, each picking up a green and a yellow as A&F’s discipline faltered.