Beware the post!

On Saturday 10th November 2018 Andover Diamonds entertained league favourites Petersfield.

Andover once again made changes from the team that ran Trojans so close last time out. Glyn Hacker and Simon Donnelly returning to bolster both defence and midfield.

The game was preceded by a rousing speech from Guy Panszczyk, who rained plaudits on the absent John Priestly-Cooper for his display in the Hampshire over 60s.

The game started in light drizzle. Petersfield started the brighter of the two sides, with a flurry of early attacks. Andover looked a little nervous but weathered the pressure and kept them out. This included some early short corners.

After a quick break up the right from Hacker, he took a knock and won Andover their first corner. A solid injection from Andy Thomson, stopped dead by Richard Hoo, was rifled high and left from drag flick from Dave Millings. Somewhat against the run of play, the home side found themselves in the lead.

Further pressure from the visitors saw more good work from keeper Neil Sturman keep the ball out of the back of the goal. A couple more short corners saw Petersfield switch the ball and eventually beat Sturman to bring the score level.

Andover grew in confidence, and some good work from Thomson on the left brought the home side their second corner - this time injected by Mike Boyne and stopped by Mark Josling. The Diamonds showed their depth throughout the team. The result was the same: a Millings’ drag flick, this time low right. With the keeper beaten and heading for the corner, all the defender could do was let it hit him. The umpire didn’t hesitate in awarding a Penalty Stroke. Josling stepped up and, sure enough, continued his streak of a goal a game when he beat the opposition keeper.

The first half continued to be a back and forth affair. Petersfield finished the half on top again, drawing the scores level with another well struck short corner.

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first. Some very skilful work from the away team versus the dogged defending of Captain Rob Oostendorp and his back line. Petersfield took the lead for the first time in the game from a well executed short corner.

The Diamonds fought hard to create opportunities to get back on level terms, and the hard work of Boyne, Josling, Hoo and Thomson, as well as Greig Taylor, eventually earned Andover a third corner of the game. The stop from Josling moved a little far for a drag flick. A quick adjustment from Millings allowed a nice pass back to Boyne, who finished well from a tight angle.

The game became very stretched, with a few niggles being picked up and both sides fading; it looked certain to end in a draw. Sadly, the hockey Gods had other plans.

A hopeful long pass from the away side looked wasteful. Sturman seemingly in control, stepped over it to allow it to run off. The sound of the ball hitting the post caught everyone out except the advancing Petersfield player who tapped it in the goal to take the lead.

The game fizzled out as Petersfield tried to run down the clock and keep the ball. It is a testament to how well Andover have been playing this season that a team as good as Petersfield finish a game like this.

Andover will welcome Guildford next week, when they hope they can continue to play good hockey.