BLACKFIELD & Langley are preparing for a tough fortnight after exiting the FA Cup at the first hurdle – a year after their record run to the brink of the first round proper.

The Watersiders suffered a shock extra preliminary round defeat at Wessex One Petersfield Town, losing 4-3.

After taking the lead through Alex Baldachinno, Blackfield were 3-1 down at half-time. Craig Feeney hit the final goal of the match to set up a interesting last 15 minutes, but it was not to be. Blackfield manager Glenn Burnett said: “We’ve got a very small squad this year but we have no excuses, we were really below par and Petersfield are a good outfit who work really hard for each other.

“When you go to a division one club you know they’ll be working hard but we also knew that they had a lot of talent having seen what they did to Totton & Eling [winning 4-1 in the Wessex League Cup].

“I’m sure they’ll have a good season and it wouldn’t surprise me if they’re in the league above with us next year.”

Blackfield return to league action at home to Bemerton tonight, but are without Kevin Gibbens and Adam ‘Taz’ Roberts for the next couple of months, both with a fractured foot.

They were not Burnett’s only injured players on Saturday.

“Both full backs weren’t 100 per cent so we went in with four centre halves across the back which wasn’t ideal,” he said. “We totally controlled the second half but missed four one-on-ones in the first six minutes after half-time. “It wasn’t meant to be but we’re stretched at the moment and it won’t be any different against Bemerton.

“We need to get through the next couple of weeks but it’s going to be tough as we’ve also got Sholing and Moneyfields in the next week.”

Bemerton also crashed out of the FA Cup on Saturday, losing 4-1 at home to Fareham Town.