Rams out to avoid double despair

Boss Ian Saunders was hoping for the Rams to make amends for their 5-0 drubbing at Beaconsfield SYCOB earlier in the season when the reverse fixture was played at Love Lane on Tuesday night.

However, he was left frustrated as his side fell to a 2-1 defeat which allowed Beaconsfield to become only the second side to win both league games against Petersfield so far this season.

The only other side to complete this honour were Ware, who beat the Rams 3-2 at Love Lane and then they won the return game at their ground 3-1.

Arlesey Town could become the third side to do the double over Petersfield in division one central if they win tomorrow’s Southern League encounter at the Armadillo Stadium.

The Bedfordshire team beat the Rams 2-1 in the reverse fixture at Love Lane at the beginning of December but they currently find themselves down in 18th place in the table.

‘Saturday is a really important game for us as I don’t want to see another side doing the double over us,’ said Saunders.

‘I thought we looked good to beat Beaconsfield on Tuesday night but they had a strong second half and battled back from 1-0 down to win the game.

‘Not letting teams beat you twice in the league in the same season is one of the things I always try and ensure we stop teams doing.

‘It’s like the 40-point target we set the team every season – not letting teams do the double over you is one of those minimum things you try and ensure you achieve during the campaign.

‘It’s a pride thing in some respects.’

The Rams have no new injury or suspension concerns ahead of their 180-mile round trip north.

– GRAEME MOIR