CB Hounslow United 2 Petersfield Town 1: They may have been giantkillers in the FA Cup last season but Petersfield went from heroes to zero when they were humbled by Hounslow on Saturday.

Victories over the likes of Weymouth and Cirencester Town during their record breaking cup run of last season seem a very distant memory at the moment as Petersfield’s poor start to the campaign shows no signs of disappearing any time soon.

It could and should have been so very different against their Combined Counties League hosts, as the Rams looked well in control of the match against nervous opponents in the first 20 minutes.

The visitors looked good value for their lead on 10 minutes when an attack down the right was partially stopped but the ball was worked back inside to the middle where Harry Wedlake fired a low shot from 20 yards out under keeper Alex Wines’ dive and into the net.

Petersfield’s Achilles heel struck again on 20 minutes though when they failed to deal with a long ball in behind them and Ronnie Bangato raced through to beat keeper Tom Boyle to the ball and he rolled his shot into the unguarded net.

That gave Hounslow the confidence boost they needed although their next goal was a little harsh on the Rams as the officials missed a clear foul and handball by the home side in the build-up play.

Another ball in behind the defence saw it crossed to Oliver Wright who fired off a stinging shot which hit Boyle’s hands and bounced back out to Wright, who dribbled around the stranded keeper and rolled his shot into the net.

Things didn’t get a lot better in the second half when Boyle spilled a shot early on and he just about managed to recover and gather the ball as Wright threatened to lash home the rebound.

At the other end another long distance Wedlake shot forced Wines into making a fine one handed save, Asare dribbled through the home defence before firing his shot wide and Jordan Neal smashed his effort well over after finding some space inside the box.

Substitute Alfie Smith almost gave Petersfield a lifeline with four minutes remaining when Asare slipped the ball to him just inside the penalty area and his low shot bobbled up as it went towards goal but Wines managed to dive to his left and divert the ball behind for a corner.

In injury time the home side almost got a deserved third goal when Terence Cariba was put clean through but he shot straight into the hands of Boyle.

Petersfield: Boyle, Buckland, Warren (Geddes), Woodford, Searle, Needham, B Neal (Judd), Wedlake, J Neal, Hoare (Smith), Asare. Subs not used: Palfrey, Harvey, Hill.