AMESBURY 3,

PETERSFIELD TN 1

PETERSFIELD are 10 points adrift at the bottom of the Sydenhams League Premier Division after losing the basement battle at Amesbury on Saturday.

The Rams started well enough, but a neat finish by Jake Allen put the home side in front after 10 minutes.

Luke Eaton made a couple of good saves to keep Petersfield in the game and the visitors nearly equalised just before the break, Luke Kendall shooting narrowly wide.

The Rams’ hopes of getting a result were dashed in the first minute of the second half. Connor Millar darted in behind the defence and delivered an excellent cross for Luke Greenway to blast home from 10 yards.

Amesbury’s third goal rather summed up Petersfield’s season. After one of their better attacks, they were caught too far upfield and keeper Paddy Creese’s long clearance picked out Millar who flicked the ball over the advancing Eaton and into an empty net.

Petersfield escaped further punishment as Cameron Roach hit the woodwork no less than three times.

The lacklustre Rams finally came to life in the last 10 minutes and scored a consolation goal from a penalty.

Olly Kershaw was brought down and Kendall sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot kick.

A cross from substitute Liam Gouge just eluded Will Essai as Petersfield put in a strong finish, but it was too little, too late.

Petersfield have a tough home date with title-chasing Blackfield & Langley this Saturday.

• Alresford Town, without a fixture last weekend, came storming out of the blocks on Tuesday and trounced Bournemouth Poppies 6-0 at Arlesbury Park.

Sam Burt led the rout, scoring the first two goals, and Adam Pearson made it 3-0 to the in-form Magpies who are now unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions.

Ben White and Scot Munro also got on the scoresheet and an own goal completed a traumatic night for the Poppies.

This Saturday, Alresford are home to third-placed Sholing, while Petersfield travel to Bournemouth.