Petersfield Town exited the FA Vase with a 2-1 defeat at Plymouth-based Elburton Villa in the first round proper on Saturday.

After a four-hour journey the visitors lacked intensity throughout and the Step 6 home side asserted themselves with early pressure.

The early pressure paid off as Calum Merrin put Elburton Villa ahead after 23 minutes. Good play down the left forced the home side into the final third, and Merrin weaved round defenders in the area before slotting in the corner.

The visitors struggled to create chances but Jack Farrier bailed them out at the end of the first half with an equaliser. The dangerous Harrison Cable forced a good save at the near post, and the resulting corner fell kindly for Farrier who smashed into the roof of the net on the turn.

Petersfield Town's Kieran Alcock in action at Elburton Villa (Photo: Dean Tricker)
Petersfield Town's Kieran Alcock in action at Elburton Villa (Photo: Dean Tricker) (Dean Tricker)

The Rams had their tails up in the second half. Cable ran towards goal and his pass set up Kian Towse, who struck the crossbar.

Petersfield were made to pay for that miss when Jordan Rundle put the home side side ahead. A low cross was half-cleared by Brandon Miller, and Rundle easily prodded home past Rams keeper Stephen Douglas.

Miller had a golden opportunity to equalise for the Rams in added time. A corner was cleared to the edge of the box, and Asad Ssemwogerere played a hopeful ball over the top to Miller, who volleyed over the bar.

Farnham Town’s unbeaten league run ended after 58 games with a 4-1 defeat at Leatherhead in the Isthmian League South Central Division on Saturday.

Lukas Franzen-Jones gave Leatherhead the lead in the 38th minute, before doubling the home side’s advantage on 52 minutes.

Adam Liddle pulled a goal back for Farnham in the 57th minute, but Franzen-Jones completed his hat-trick two minutes later.

Kane Fitzgerald scored Leatherhead’s fourth goal on 79 minutes.

Saturday’s defeat followed a 2-1 win for Farnham in the Isthmian League South Central Division at Raynes Park Vale last Tuesday night (October 15).

Goals from Owen Dean and Great Evans gave Farnham the three points.

Badshot Lea lost 3-0 at Hartley Wintney in the Isthmian League South Central Division on Saturday.