Stunning away win for Whitchurch at Petersfield (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Stunning away win for Whitchurch at Petersfield

10:18am Sunday 17th February 2013 in Andover By Kerry Miller

WHITCHURCH United continued their charge for a Wessex League Division One top three place on Saturday with a stunning 4-0 victory at Love Lane, Petersfield.

The home side were on the back of a remarkable last kick 5-4 victory over Brockenhurst seven days earlier while the Jamboys had won at Pewsey Vale on Tuesday night and it was all set for a tight match up but Jim Macey’s boys tore up the script with four superb unanswered goals.

“Everything we tried went right” was Macey’s appraisal of the win which was never in doubt as Whitchurch took the game to the home side. “We went with 4-4-2 and I started with Luke Walker to give them some problems with his pace. He scored a fabulous goal and Jordan Seward’s workrate was first class alongside him. He was outstanding.”

In fact it was a solid all round performance from back to front and Petersfield did not look remotely like repeating their showing against Brock as the United back four gave them nothing.

On a bright day and on a poor, spongy pitch Whitchurch started with Isaac Sedu on the bench and with Chris Smalley replacing Nick Jupp, who had a dead leg and within five minutes Adam Everiss had put Walker through but home keeper Matt Shortt denied him and Seward who followed up.

Petersfield were forced to defend deep and Seward’s cross field pass found Sam Argent who curled a shot inches over. Josh Sheehan tested Tom Hindmarsh with his side’s first shot on target before Shortt fumbled a Pa Touray shot for a corner. The chances kept coming as Walker lobbed over twice before Argent went down in the box but was denied a penalty but it mattered little as the ball was not cleared and Touray’s finish was clinical on the half hour.

It was no more than they deserved but Petersfield were stung and Callum Coker headed over and Callum Cutler shot at Hindmarsh but Shortt was having a nervy half and a sliced clearance reached Walker but he miskicked and another chance went begging.

Walker made amends in spectacular fashion with virtually the last kick of the half as he picked up a loose ball on half way and beat two men before letting fly from way out and the ball flew past Shortt to make it 2-0 at the break.

The home side came out fighting but once Whitchurch had weathered the storm Everiss threaded a pass to Walker but again Shortt denied him with his feet before the impressive Argent lobbed wide.

Macey replaced Walker with Ashley Childs midway through the second half and soon after threw on Sedu for Smalley and Steve Francis for Argent and the changes worked a treat. Childs found room down the right to sling over a perfect cross for Francis to nod in the third within a minute of going on then right on time Sedu turned the defence before knocking in number four off the post.

“I took a gamble putting Isaac on the bench and giving Luke a start and it paid off” added Macey “we were strong and solid and I am delighted with the performance.”

Jupp should be back for Tuesday’s visit to Fleet Town in the Basingstoke Senior Cup while Smalley is cup tied.