Petersfield Town 2 Hamble Club 1: PETERSFIELD Town showed they have plenty in reserve when they eased themselves through to the next round of the Russell Cotes Cup last Tuesday night at Love Lane.

The Rams fielded a mixed team of first team and reserve team players and it was a blend which worked perfectly for them and saw the Southern League strugglers beat opponents who are riding high in Wessex League Division 1.

The home side’s youngsters on display certainly gave manager John Robson plenty of food for thought as he watched on while reserve team manager Shane Brayson led proceedings for the Rams from the bench.

Petersfield took the lead on 17 minutes when the ball was crossed into the box from the right hand side and Luke Kendall hit home a low shot which beat keeper Sam Webb at his near post.

Doug Rowe fired a free kick from the edge of the penalty area straight into the hands of Petersfield keeper Connor Beattie before Hamble levelled the scores on 33 minutes.

A deep cross from the right found Coby Wilson at the far post and his header looped back across the goal and dropped under the crossbar and into the net.

Beattie had to be alert on 55 minutes to deny Danny Cox by blocking the Hamble man’s effort on goal with his legs.

Petersfield got what proved to be the winner on 70 minutes when Kendall picked up a clearance from his defence and played the ball in behind the Hamble back line. Substitute Billy Connor ran on to the ball before lifting his shot over the keeper and into the net.

The home side had a tense moment nine minutes later when the ball was worked into the box from the left and Cox hit his shot through a crowd of players but it went straight at Beattie who made a comfortable save.

Petersfield: Beattie, Beauchamp, Graham, Wycherley, Harvey, Geddes (Giles), Palfrey (B Neal), Kendall, Corsaro (Connor), Barnes, Essai. Sub not used: Newman.