Win (2 - 3) Petersfield Town
It is always disappointing when your team suffers its first defeat of the season especially when they do so at home after twice taking the lead. That is exactly what happened on August Bank Holiday Monday when City fell well short of a very good Petersfield Town side.
City started well and could have scored in the opening minutes, Dominic Cope crossed for Michael McEnery to head just over the bar and Warren Bentley had a header kicked off the line. As City piled on the pressure they began to look like the side of a couple of weeks ago, Cope and McEnery dominated the flanks, Zak Glasspool and Bentley looked dangerous in the box and in the 11th minute they got their reward. The Petersfield 'keeper fumbled a shot and his defence took three efforts to clear the loose ball before it fell to McEnery to lash home from close range.
Gradually, however, Petersfield took control of the game and played some nice football from midfield. Jason Silver’s pace gave the City defence problems all afternoon and in the 28th minute he was clear inside the penalty area, pulled the ball back to the near post and Jack James just failed to convert the cross.
At the other end City had a penalty appeal turned down and then Glasspool pulled the ball back to Bentley but his shot was easily saved.
Petersfield had two penalty claims waved away by the referee and then hit a shot over the top and a free kick from the edge of the box was headed away by Luke Dempsey as they threatened to equalise.
Just before half time McEnery received a free kick in the box but hooked his attempt over the bar.
Petersfield equalised in the 47th minute when from a free kick Brad Miles, unmarked, shot home from close range.
Having lost the battle in midfield and with the defence somewhat shaky the City Managers made a change in the 49th minute when Leigh Mills replaced Ben Stanbrook. Almost immediately Glasspool got a shot in which the 'keeper did well to save and then Chris Mason flighted in a curling cross and with Bentley challenging Petersfield's, Ed Dryden, turned the ball into his own net for City to take the lead again.
For a period City pressed and Mason had a hard shot saved, by the 'keeper's legs.
Petersfield were back on terms in the 68th minute when Dryden , again unmarked in the City box, headed home a corner.
City's last throw of the dice saw Cope off and Geof Dunn on and Mason replaced by Chris Manning in the 80th minute.
Only a minute later they lost the game. Alex Ward running in well slammed a free kick past Jason Collins in the City goal.
Petersfield were well worth their win, City had been outplayed in most areas of the game and conceded three goals from set-pieces.
Attendance 149.
This Saturday City are away to Bashley in the Preliminary round of the F.A. Cup, kick off 3.00p.m.
City Jason Collins, Adam Tomasso, Joe Wright, Stuart Green, Ben stanbrook, Luke Dempsey, Michael McEnery, Chris Mason, Zack Glasspool, Warren Bentley, Dominic Cope, Geoff Dunn, Chris Manning, Leigh Mills, Andy Mott and Liam Green.
