Rams hoping to hit new heights at '˜fortress'

Petersfield Town boss Ian Saunders, right Picture: Neil Marshall

If the Rams avoid defeat in their hotly-anticipated league clash they will climb up to 12th place in the table – the highest position the club will have been in all season.

Three points, though, would well and truly put them in among a pack of teams looking to finish in the top 10 this season.

And with seven matches still to be played after tonight’s encounter, the feeling around the club is that they have been presented with a great chance to secure a spot in the top half of the league.

First and foremost, though, manager Ian Saunders is looking for his side to continue their excellent home record.

Petersfield have won their last three matches in a row and the Rams now boast the fifth best home record in the division.

‘We really do seem to be making the Lane a bit of a fortress and that bodes well for next season for us,’ said Saunders.

‘Teams don’t like coming here – they don’t like the slope on the pitch and they then perceive some of our other facilities of not being up to standard.

‘However, we don’t really care what others think – they can come here and keep moaning and we will happily keep picking up the three points thank you.’

Hanwell will be heading south to Petersfield looking for a vital win.

They currently sit just two places and five points above the relegation zone at the bottom of the table.

The Rams aren’t expecting an easy night, though, after their last encounter with the visitors.

Petersfield led 2-0 at half-time but after Hanwell had scored twice in two second-half minutes, they were hanging on for a point at the end.

Saunders added: ‘Everyone beats everyone else in this division – some of the results you see no longer surprise you as they happen every week now.

‘We have to be focussed and keep our minds on this game and making sure we do things right to get the result we want.

‘It is an opportunity for us to keep kicking on up the table.

‘My aim now is for us to finish as far up the division as we possibly can.

‘And three points tonight will certainly help us in terms of being able to move up a few more positions eventually.’

– GRAEME MOIR