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Moment of magic seals derby victory - Henry Ascoli (17th Nov 2013 - 18:30:59) Aldershot Junior Cup Second Round Liphook United Reserves 1-0 AFC Petersfield A MOMENT of magic proved decisive in this feisty local derby, as the boys in blue triumphed on home turf to move one step closer to cup glory, writes Henry Ascoli. Despite chances aplenty at either end, both sides lacked composure and conviction in front of goal, yet demonstrated determination in their pursuit of a place in the third round. Petersfield began brightly, forcing the hosts onto the back foot, and a testing run from Charlie Kennedy turned the defence, then his strong shot prompted a superb save from keeper Matt Collins. United struggled to settle on the ball, but a combination of solid defending and incisive play in the midfield kept the visitors at bay. Liphook lurched into life on the half-hour mark, as Jake Southam finished off a patient team move with a rasping shot on the turn, which was tipped wide by the diving keeper Ben Friend. Against the run of play, United broke the deadlock seven minutes before the break, as Rew Hawkins burst down the left, then cut inside and fired the ball home from an acute angle. A string of fine saves from Collins either side of the break maintained the slender advantage, as he tipped a looping cross over the bar, then saved with his legs to deny Ryan Kennedy from close range. The visitors failed to match their early attacking threat after the break, with only a long-range effort from Joe Twiddy and a wayward strike from Ryan Kennedy to show for their second half efforts. A lunging challenge on the edge of the visitors’ box prompted a late penalty appeal, but the offence was deemed to have been committed outside the penalty area and the ensuing free kick from George House flew over the bar. Petersfield flooded forward during the closing stages, desperate to find a late leveller, yet United remained resolute to secure a morale-boosting victory and a third round spot. “Petersfield certainly have a bright future, judging by the quality of players we came up against in this match – they gave us a really tough test,” said Liphook United Reserves manager Mark Morton. “It was not a great footballing game, but we showed strong character to come out on top. I can’t speak highly enough of the players – this was a gritty and determined performance.”

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