Petersfield Town manager Connor Hoare is delighted with how his side are shaping up ahead of the new season.

The Rams have won three of their first four pre-season friendlies. The only pre-season defeat has come against higher-level opposition, in the form of Southern League Premier Division South outfit Gosport Borough.

“We’re really happy with where we’re at,” said Hoare.

“The only game we’ve lost was against Gosport, and we had nine players missing from the squad.

“We’ve given the players the freedom to express who they are as players – and they are enjoying it and have responded well to it.”

The Rams beat Combined Counties Premier Division South outfit Abbey Rangers 4-2 last Tuesday night (July 11).

Petersfield took an early lead when centre-back Jon Longmore directed his header in at the far post.

Three minutes later Longmore headed in Ollie Davies’ cross at the back post to make it 2-0.

Davies scored the third late in the first half. He got away from a couple of markers in the centre circle and drove forward, before using Archie Greenough as a decoy and shooting into the top right-hand corner.

Petersfield made 11 changes at half-time, and the visitors pulled a goal back in the 47th minute.

Marco Randamanda charged down Sam Greenfield in goal, and Ross Murdoch tapped into an empty net.

Murdoch then got his second on 66 minutes to make it 3-2.

Murdoch should have completed his hat-tick but was denied by the crossbar and a superb reaction save from Josh Morris. Mino Djuara put the game to bed when he showed good composure to slot home in the 90th minute.

The Rams then won 2-0 at Wessex League Division One side Millbrook on Saturday.

Davies put the Rams ahead in the 44th minute, before Dec Seiden added a second in the 79th minute to seal the victory.

The Rams will continue their pre-season preparations with a trip to Southern Combination Division One outfit Wick on Saturday (2pm), before hosting Hampshire Premier League Senior Division outfit Liss Athletic next Tuesday night (July 25).

Attention will then turn to the opening Wessex League Premier Division game of the season at home to US Portsmouth on Tuesday, August 1.

The Rams will then travel to Lymington Town in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup on Saturday, August 5.

“The next two friendlies are about building up to that first league game,” said Hoare.

“We’re also really excited to be back in the FA Cup this season after last season’s promotion.”