Petersfield Town manager Connor Hoare can’t wait for the season to start.

The Rams begin their Wessex League Premier Division campaign with a home game against United Services Portsmouth next Tuesday night (August 1).

Petersfield were promoted from Division One of the Wessex League last season after beating New Milton Town on penalties in the play-off final, and Hoare is hoping to carry that momentum into the new campaign.

The new Rams boss was skipper for last season’s promotion-winning campaign, but has stepped up to the managerial hot seat this summer after former co-managers Pat Suraci and Joe Lea left Love Lane to take up the reins at Southern League Premier Division South outfit Gosport Borough.

“We will be training today (Thursday) and Saturday for the US Portsmouth game,” said Hoare. “It’s hard to go off their pre-season form and know what to expect from them, but I know how they should set up.

“Everyone should be back and available, apart from Nathan Primus who is watching his sister Atlanta play for Jamaica in the Women’s World Cup – not many people get that opportunity.

“Pre-season has brought some excitement, and we’re working on trying to improve our game plan. I’m taking things session by session and day by day.

“Pre-season is great but the start of the competitive games is what it’s all about – you’re like a child before Christmas.

“We’re 100 per cent looking for a good bounce after winning promotion last season.

“We’ve been ready for the season to start for two weeks.”

Petersfield continued their pre-season preparations with a 3-1 defeat at Southern Combination Division One outfit Wick on Saturday afternoon.

A slightly-weakened Petersfield team played out an even opening half an hour before Wick opened the scoring.

The hosts then doubled their advantage after 38 minutes with a header back across goal.

Christian Bennett pulled one back for the Rams when he received the ball outside the box, drove towards goal and hit his low shot past the keeper.

Wick extended their lead after a cross into the box wasn’t dealt with by the Petersfield defence.

Alex Hulme and Owen Kimber both struck the post before the final whistle as Petersfield continued to push for a way back into the game.

Despite the defeat, Hoare is remaining optimistic heading into the new campaign.

“We were missing seven or eight players – even I had to play,” he said. “We’ve had a good pre-season and are ready to go.”