WITH the overnight snow and gloomy morning prognosis of postponement disappearing in mid-afternoon Whitchurch journeyed to Love Lane for their meeting with the league leaders following on from their victory over Winchester three days earlier.

The outcome however was vastly different as the visitors, shorn by injury and suspension of their recognised front three and midfielder Chris Manning, pictured below, went down 4-0 with three of the goals coming after the home side had been reduced to ten men.

The home side made the breakthrough after half an hour when a quick throw on the left enabled Danny Thompson to cross and as the Whitchurch defence seemingly froze Ashley Howes turned the ball past Brad Snelling.

Petersfield’s ability to spread the ball to both flanks was giving them the edge and a Hyde header was just wide though Whitchurch posed the last threat of the opening half with an Austin shot that Short pushed away at the foot of his post.

Two early free-kicks to Petersfield on the restart saw a Todd header pass the wrong side of the post and a low cross from Dan Woodward missed by friend and foe alike in the six yard box. Short was at full stretch to stop a fierce drive from Tom Lockyer with Austin just failing to reach the rebound before what could have been the defining moment of the game came 12 minutes into the half.

Warren Hunt chased a long clearance, Snelling came out of his area and the referee adjudged the forward’s challenge to be dangerous and produced the red card. With the home side making light of the numerical disadvantage they doubled the lead with a quarter of the game still to play.

Howes was the provider this time as Todd met his low cross, Snelling saved with his legs but could do nothing to stop Danny Thompson tucking home the loose ball.

Five minutes later it was three as a quick through ball split the visiting defence and Woodward coolly slotted the ball past Snelling. Petersfield made it four with another excellent counter attack, Todd outmuscling Fear and rounding Snelling to put the icing on the victory.

Whitchurch found the absence of Danny Phillips, Jamie Mansell and Jack McCarthy too much on the evening as they suffered their heaviest defeat of the season, and though there were no absentees at the back the defence were too often pulled apart by Petersfield’s speed and movement.

To Petersfield’s credit it was never really noticeable that they were a man short but on the downside their constant harassment of the official seeking red cards for opponents was unacceptable. They are far too good a side to have to resort to that kind of behaviour.