Petersfield Town 2 AFC Portchester 0: PETERSFIELD Town pulled off a giant killing in the Russell Cotes Cup by beating Wessex Premier Division outfit AFC Portchester last Tuesday night.

The Rams fully deserved their win after seeing off several former Petersfield players and officials who are now among the Portchester ranks.

One man who wasn’t there was former Rams boss Ian Saunders – news of his departure from Portchester as their manager broke as the game got under way.

Portchester made a bright start to the game and went close to breaking the deadlock several times.

Kelvin Obazel’s chipped shot hit the back of the crossbar and Joel Jackson’s shot from the right of the box hit the outside of the post.

Petersfield went close when Matt Rowland got into space on the left hand side of the box. His shot was partially blocked by keeper Lewis Watch and the ball dropped wide of the post.

On 50 minutes the home side took the lead. The ball was worked up into the left hand side of the box to Matt Rowland and he was given the space to tuck his shot under the keeper.

The home side had strong claims for a penalty waved away by the referee before they got their second goal on 70 minutes. Rowland was chopped down inside the box and Will Essai buried his spot kick.

Portchester’s Ryan Woodford was sent off for his second yellow card.