SHAFTESBURY 3, PETERSFIELD 0

PETERSFIELD have shown signs of a revival in their difficult Sydenhams Premier League campaign, but they had no joy at mid-table Shaftesbury on Saturday.

An early injury to central defender Sean Evans didn’t help the Rams’ cause after their long trip into Dorset.

They began well and created a couple of chances, but the departure of Evans changed things and Shaftesbury took the lead with their first serious attack on 21 minutes, Sam Smith being left a tap-in after a cross from the left.

Malachi Benjamin hit the post and Ashley Clarke was denied by Luke Eaton’s fine save as the Rockies pushed for a second goal

At the other end, Luke Walker went close for Petersfield, only denied by Dan Card’s brave close-range block.

The visitors had other decent openings, but it was Shaftesbury who doubled their lead with a well-worked goal by Jack Mitchell.

The home side wrapped up the points on 83 minutes when substitute Aaron White intercepted a clearance and fired a 30-yard blockbuster past Eaton.

Petersfield: Eaton, Gilbert, Kershaw, Wycherley, Plackett, Evans (Roberts), Powell, Small, Boxall (Kendall), Walker, W Essai. Sub (not used): Thomas.

• Petersfield took a hammering from local rivals Horndean at Love Lane on Tuesday. The fourth-placed Deans romped to a 5-1 victory after an early setback when Grant Powell put Petersfield ahead after just eight minutes.

Miles Everett equalised in the 15th minute and Josh Maloney put Horndean ahead with a nice curler.

The Rams were still in the game at the interval, with the visitors leading 2-1. But Horndean settled the issue with three goals in the space of four minutes midway through the second half. Mark Smith got the third, Jack Maloney converted a penalty and Sam Hookey added the fifth soon after.

• Alresford followed up their gritty 0-0 draw against second-placed Blackfield on Saturday with a 2-1 victory at Bashley on Tuesday in the Sydenhams League Cup.

Geoff Dunn put the Magpies in front and after Brad Strickland had equalised for Bashley, Aaron Blaxall scored to clinch a deserved win for Alresford who now visit Hamble Club in the last 16 of the competition.

• Alton, without a Division One fixture last weekend, are home to title contenders Tadley Calleva this Saturday. On Tuesday, Alton host Bagshot in the Aldershot FA Senior Cup.