Sad day for Petworth - in more ways than one
Petworth’s starting line-up featured two outstanding servants to the club playing their last games for the team.
Rob Levett, one of Petworth’s all-time leading goalscorers, stated his intention to retire after a long and very successful time with the club and the ever-dependable Quinn Murray is set to undergo a long-overdue knee operation.
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Hide AdManager Adie Konieczny paid tribute to both players saying: “Petworth are losing two of their most committed, loyal and effective players. Both have a first-class attitude, and both were a major part of our back-to-back promotion seasons when we reached the premier division for the first time in over 20 years.”
The game started with Petworth playing against a mediocre looking ten-man Hunston team but the arrival and introduction of premier-division leading scorer Shaun Jenkins after ten minutes was to make all the difference. Jenkins galvanised Hunston and they started to play with more confidence.
After 20 minutes Levett had a fierce left-foot shot well saved, but Petworth did take lead after 30 minutes when a neat interchange of passes between Jaysi Wells and Mark Cooper led to Wells slotting in from 15 yards.
Hunston were the better side in the second half. The otherwise-excellent Jordy Renshaw conceded a penalty midway through the half which was brilliantly saved by Alex Wadey.
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Hide AdBut Hunston got the equaliser they deserved when the Petworth defence failed to close down Jenkins, who set up a shot from a team-mate which was deflected past Wadey.
Minutes later Jenkins himself broke free inside the box and produced a classy finish to give Hunston the lead.
Mark Cooper had a golden chance to equalise but his header was glanced wide and the Hunston keeper saved well from sub Dan Warren.
Petworth now need Faygate to get at least a point at East Dean on Saturday to ensure they finish outside of the relegation zone.
PETWORTH: Wadey, Evans, Torode, Murray, Exall (Naldrett 80), Renshaw, Pafford, Cooper, Dillon, Wells (D Torode 80), Levett (Warren 70).