PETERSFIELD Town’s caretaker manager Andy Neal has heaped praise on his side despite their defeat in the first league game of the season.

Saturday’s 4-1 scoreline at Chalfont St Peter was harsh on the Rams after they put in a spirited and battling performance.

Neal had little more than a week to piece together his team after the departure of former manager Ian Saunders to Winchester City.

And despite the departure of several first team squad players, those remaining showed they have more than enough to ensure they will be able to compete in Division 1 Central this season.

“The players really worked hard for me on Saturday – they gave me everything,”?said Neal.

“The scoreline was very harsh on us – we made a couple of mistakes and got punished for them.

“But it could have been very different – if Matteo Corsaro had put his chance away when he was one on one with the keeper we would have been in front and it would have been a different game.

“We got back into it just before half time with our goal and Chalfont didn’t have things easy. I’m really proud of the way the players performed and if they keep doing that the results will come for us.”