PETERSFIELD Town will be hoping their run in the Portsmouth Senior Cup will help them settle a few scores from last season – starting with a trip to Gosport Borough tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Rams lost 1-0 to their National League South hosts during the 2014-15 campaign and they will be hoping to make up for that defeat during tonight’s encounter.

Victory at Privett Park will set up a trip to Havant and Waterlooville in the semi finals – the side who beat Petersfield 4-2 in last season’s senior cup final.

The Hawks have also beaten the Rams 7-0 in the Hampshire Senior Cup this season so manager Ian Saunders is looking for his side to improve their competitive record against their National League South neighbours.

“We haven’t fared too well against the likes of Gosport and Havant in the last couple of seasons,” explained the Rams boss.

“Even though there are now only two levels between us and them the gulf between the clubs is huge in reality – it has been a real eye opener for us when we have played these games in the last couple of seasons.

“It is a good test of where the team is at the current time and it also shows us how far we have got to go to be able to compete with these National League sides on a competitive basis.

“We have continued to improve season after season so the challenge for my players tonight is can they go that next step on and beat a National League South side?”

The Portsmouth Senior Cup is the last chance this season for the Rams to continue their strong recent record of winning silverware – in each of the last two seasons they have won two trophies to put in the Love Lane trophy cabinet.

And with this year’s senior cup final due to be played at Fratton Park, Saunders believes playing at the home of League 2 Portsmouth would be a fitting end to a season where the Rams have been finding their feet at Southern League level.

He added: “To play at Fratton Park in the final would be a great reward for everyone at the club – the players, club officials and supporters. However we have two tough games to get through first before we can think about the final.”