Bishops Waltham Tn 0, Petersfield Tn 0

BISHOP'S Waltham and Petersfield moved kickoff time forward to 11.30am to enable spectators to watch England on TV later on; but even if they'd played until darkness fell there would probably have been no score!

Neither goalkeeper had a genuine save to make in the first half of a match that featured plenty of grunt and grind in midfield but was virtually devoid of flair.

Right from the first whistle the sides set about each other, with crunching tackles whistling in throughout. Petersfield had the first chance when Ian Heather blasted a free-kick wide, while at the other end Neil Channon blazed a shot over the bar.

As time went on there was no improvement in the entertainment, but Petersfield held the territorial advantage as the break approached. However, Waltham's Ben Stream then came as close as anyone when he got a toe to a through-ball and looped it over keeper Michael O'Mahony, but the ball bounced just wide of the left hand-post.

In the second half Channon had another shot that whistled inches over the bar, and Hose Edin had a shot charged down by Mark Glazier. At the other end, Barry Keogh slipped when poised to shoot, and lively Petersfield sub Russ Bishop saw his effort tipped to safety by Robbie Paice.

Probably the best chance of the lot came in the 92nd minute, when Waltham's Marty Vidler sent a scissor-kick goalwards; but Jamie Sherry headed off the line, and that was the end of the action.

Not surprisingly, it was the defenders who won the plaudits. Waltham's Allen Miles was in commanding form at the back, winning everything in the air. Alongside him Dan Groom was neat and tidy and mopped up everything that came his way.

For Petersfield, Mark Glazier was similarly impressive... but one thing's for sure; this match won't live long in the memory!