Cove 0 Petersfield Town 1: THE RAMS travelled to Cove last Tuesday night for their Hampshire Senior Cup first round tie.

They defeated the Combined Counties League Division 1 side 1-0, and although the margin of victory was slender they outplayed their hosts throughout to deservedly go through to the next round.

Petersfield settled into their stride and went close with a tenth minute header from Jordan Neal which just went wide, and a minute later from a Richard Covey shot that was well saved by home goalkeeper Aiden Upward.

The Rams continued to have the lions share of the play and it was not until the 24th minute that Cove produced a decent chance, with Paras Gill drawing a save from Tim Jackson.

In the 30th minute the Rams finally broke through when Jordan Neal was played in and his well-placed shot gave Upward no chance.

For the remainder of the half the Rams maintained their stranglehold on the game as their defence comfortably dealt with any Cove attacks.

Cove improved in the second half but the visitors still looked the better side.

However, despite coming close on several occasions, most notably a tremendous save by Upward from a Luke Payne header, they could not find the second goal which would have killed the game off.

Cove fought to the very end but the Rams held firm to book their place in the next round and a home tie versus Fareham Town.