PETER SYMONDS BOUNCE BACK

Peter Symonds bounced back from an early season defeat by Itchen to end Barton Peveril’s unbeaten start in the Hampshire College League and then, courtesy of a fine win over Sparsholt, progressed to the second round of the English Schools’ FA Under-18 Trophy.
They inflicted Barton Peveril’s first defeat with a roller-coaster 3-2 victory in midweek – a perfect result coming quickly on the back of the Jo Sutherden inspired 1-0 ESFA Cup success against Sparsholt.
Its sent confidence soaring in the PSC camp ahead of Monday’s ESFA Under-18 Trophy tie against Henley (1.30) and Farnborough’s trip there in the Peter Munro Cup two days later.

Coach Rob Kitley praised Peter Symonds for a ‘character laced’ performance against Barton Peveril, who wiped out a two-goal deficit and almost snatched victory themselves before Max Cullen grabbed a late PSC winner.
The long established derby between two of the county’s old ‘grammar’ schools was eminently watchable – such a shame it was played on such a poor and unkempt Bereweeke Avenue surface, which did neither side any favours.
PSC were looking good 2-0 up on the back of goals by Eddie Lloyd and Lewis Wakeford, but Matt Rickman’s rasping 40-yard drive just before half-time put BP right back in it.

Rickman repeated the dose, finishing off a fine move set up by substitute Harvey Wright, soon after half-time to make it 2-2.
His equaliser lit the fuse for an exciting second period, with eye catching duo Cullen and Wright among the players to go close before Harry Prisk had a potential BP winner flagged offside.
A defensive error, partly caused by the poor playing surface, played its part in Peter Symonds’ late winner – a woeful back pass leaving BP goalkeeper Nathan Jones stranded and giving Cullen the opportunity to nip in and win it 3-2 with a well executed finish.
As a token of consolation, BP won the second team Championship match 5-2.

Farnborough, whose ESFA U18 Trophy defence begins at Richmond on Monday, warmed up for their two cup ties with a 7-1 mauling of promoted Poole Grammar. Boro’, looking to build on last season’s national cup triumph, ran in seven different goalscorers, Limbu, Fleet, Leatherdalde, Horton, Bushell, Billingham, and Mahoney. They could be a real threat in the College League this season.

At least Richard Taunton’s now have a win on the board – their 1-0 victory over Andover being down to Reshaine Dandridge, who slotted home nicely in a ‘one-on-one’ with the visitors’ keeper after an Efu Kazadi flick on. “We looked good in the first half, but were hanging on for the last ten minutes,” confessed RTC coach Tom Barge.

In the Championship, Farnborough ran up another seven – Brockenhurst catching the draught from a Goude hat-trick and singles from Illingworth, Stone, Brown, and Humphrey.