Peacehaven & Telscombe 2-1 Petersfield Town

The Rams play off hopes were dented on Saturday when they were defeated at in form Peacehaven & Telscombe.

Peacehaven are in contention for a play off place themselves, so the Rams knew they would be in for a tough game. After an even start the home side increasingly looked the more threatening and took an 11th minute lead when Rams keeper Ellis Grant pulled off three good saves in succession before Mo Kadhum scored. Peacehacen continued to have the upper hand, creating some good chances, whilst the Rams struggled
to mount meaningful attacks. It was only in the final ten minutes or so of the half that the Rams found some better form and had a great opportunity to draw level in the 40th minute when Kian Towse bore down on goal, only to put his shot narrowly wide of the far post.

Hopes that the Rams would carry on with this improvement in the second half were dealt a major blow in the first minute of the resumption when Ashton Leigh conceded a penalty. Much to their relief the spot kick was put wide. Play was fairly even from this point, although Ellis Grant was the busier of the two keepers. In the 70th minute the Rams were awarded a penalty after Callum Kimber was brought down in the box. After a delay whilst a Peacehaven player received treatment, he took the penalty in the 73rd minute, and although his effort was saved by Ryan Hammond he followed up to score from the rebound.

The Rams hopes of salvaging at least a point from the game were dashed in the 80th minute when a ball played in from the left was fired home from close range by Callum Esnouf. The Rams pressed hard for an equaliser, with the best opportunity falling in the 89th minute when they were awarded  a free kick just outside the box, but Callum Kimber's effort went wide.

Based on efforts on target Peacehaven deserved their victory.

Fortunately for the Rams, some other results went in their favour, so the damage was not as great as it might have been.

They dropped to fifth, so are still in a play off position, but it is very tight and the two home games over Easter against Wick on Saturday, and Midhurst on Monday will be key to achieving their goal.