PETERSFIELD Town’s coaching staff have been praised by the club’s chairman for their commitment and dedication during the club’s difficult season to date.

Graeme Moir issued his message as the club prepared for the visit of Ashford Town in Division 1 Central of the Southern League tonight (Tuesday).

Ashford’s arrival at Love Lane will mark new manager John Robson’s first game in charge of all first team matters – until this point he has been assessing the squad ahead of taking over fully.

All of the first team coaching staff will be retained by Robson, including Gary Lines as director of football, Paul Marsh as head coach and Tom Best as goalkeeping coach.

Such has been the chaotic nature to Petersfield’s season so far it has been difficult to coach a side which has had so many comings and goings.

But with things showing signs of settling down at long last, Moir believes the coaching staff deserve praise for what has been a pretty thankless task so far this campaign.

“It has been a difficult start to the season but the coaching staff have kept things going – despite the defeats and a number of other setbacks they have remained upbeat, kept turning up and trying to do the right things and they have tried to talk the players through the situation we have found ourselves in.

“It has not been easy but they have worked together to keep everyone going and motivated as much as possible on the playing side.

“Andy Neal did his best at the start of the season and Gary Lines then stepped in to run the team and he, along with Paul and Tom, has brought some stability to the situation.

“They have all worked extremely hard and have helped us to start heading in the right direction again.”

Robson faces a tough first game in total charge with the visit of sixth placed Ashford, who beat Barton Rovers 6-3 at the weekend.

Moir has urged everyone to remain patient at Petersfield and give Robson their full commitment and the time to work on the situation.

He added: “Things aren’t going to change overnight and it will take time for John to get the players playing the way and doing the things he wants them to.

“But he is a highly experienced coach and we all believe he will, along with the players, turn this situation around.

“He would have seen for himself where we are with the display at Kidlington on Saturday and he will be formulating his plan as to what we need to do to start putting points on the board again.”