Report by Jools Thomas

Apart from a bright opening, there was little threat from the home team and to be quite truthful Petersfield deserved their three points. Yet again a penalty was conceded and this provided the winning goal for a team who had lost seven consecutive league games and not gained a point since mid-September.

The opening move of the game fell to FC when Kieron Turner’s quick fire effort was saved by the feet of Town’s George Hill who then protected his goal at the second time of asking. Turner had another great chance three minutes later but again he was thwarted by Hill who pushed the effort around the post after the young midfielder had completed a mazy run to find space.

Alex Miroy found plenty of room in the away team’s first attack but his burst of speed pushed the ball too far and FC keeper Ashley Jenkins was able to mop up. Preston Tee had his side’s first shot on goal soon afterwards although this caused trouble for Jenkins.
This was the prelude to the opening goal. Andre Oluknami received the ball on the right and after steadying himself, fired an unstoppable shot past hill for 1-0. Things were going as planned and Jonny Montgomery could have doubled FC’s lead with a powerful strike from some 35 yards however the keeper parried the effort. By this stage, of the game Aylesbury were well in control and it was that man Monty who hit another long range effort but this time the ball flew just wide of the goal.

Petersfield launched their first attack for a while on 37 minutes. Harry Medway floated the ball in to the danger area and an alert Jenkins punched the ball away to safety. The next attack however saw the away team grab the equaliser. A cross from the left hit an FC leg and although the ball appeared to loop out of play, the ball drifted over the head of Jenkins to be tapped in at the back post by Alfy Whittingham.

Even at that late stage of the half, FC could have gained their lead and only a desperate outstretched hand prevented Turner’s shot from nestling in the back of the net as the 45 minutes were almost up.The second half’s first chance fell to Matt Andres who fire wide when under pressure. Turner then had his fourth chance of the game and after dancing through the away defence, hit a shot that once again was fumbled by the suspect looking Hill.

Disaster was to strike soon afterwards however. Jamie Lofthouse-Smith was judged to have pushed his man over in the box with the referee awarding a penalty. Up stepped Whittingham to confidently stroke the ball home for his side.

A series of substitutions were made by Aylesbury and this should have given the team the impetus but the team found the going harder and harder. Only substitute James Faulkner made any real impact. His turn and swivel on 69 minutes was just wide and this was the last real chance of note.

Montgomery hit a teasing ball in with three minutes to go which keeper Hill did well to smother and a few moments later Faulkner stabbed the ball over the bar from a half chance. Deep into injury time, a free kick saw even Ashley Jenkins rush up to make the extra man in attack. As it was, the free kick was misdirected leaving the referee to put FC out of their misery.