PETERSFIELD Town manager Mark Summerhill is expecting a tough test when his side host high-flying Hythe and Dibden at Love Lane on Saturday in Division One of the Sydenhams Wessex League.

Hythe sit in third place in the Division One table and look to be well placed for a promotion push.

“Hythe are a very good side and they have quite a direct set up,” said Summerhill.

“We will try and contain them. They’ve got a good squad and have been getting good results. They’re a good outfit.

“Hythe are very physical and they get at you early on.

“They have an excellent centre forward who can play and can hold the ball up. You need to rise to the physical challenge against them.”

The league games are coming thick and fast for the Rams, who will travel to Foxcotte Park next Tuesday night, March 3, to face Andover New Street (7.45pm).

Petersfield will be looking for revenge after losing 4-2 at home to an impressive Andover side in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

“Andover will be another tough game for us,” admitted Summerhill.

The Rams are in tenth place in the Division One table, but they have games in hand on a number of sides above them in the table and Summerhill hopes his troops can push on towards the top six.

“If we can get a couple of wins and get on a good run we can put pressure on sixth and seventh towards the end of the season,” he said.

“Last season was my first full season in charge. This is my second full season and we are developing as we go.

“We kept the core of the group in the summer and added a few. Everyone talks about three-year cycles in football, so this might be a season too early for us. Next season we might hit our peak.”