FORM-FINDING Laverstock and Ford overcame the rain-affected conditions to begin 2015 as they mean to go on, starting with a league double over basement-trapped Romsey Town.

Sammy Miller delivered the opening blow to lacklustre Romsey after two minutes when he kept his composure from ten yards.

Twenty five minutes into opening play saw the visitors respond with an equalising goal. Against the run of play, a long-range free kick was whipped into the box, eluding everyone and helped on by the gale-force winds to seemingly fly over Lee Newman-Judd’s head and bend into the back of the net.

The momentum was with the visitors and had a challenge for a spot kick when a challenge inside the area was judged not a foul.

Lavvy, who found five goals in the reverse victory post- Christmas, found it hard to break down the visitors but talisman Ollie Batchelor was on hand to strike the match winner for the second successive week.

The striker was quickest to pounce from a corner which was bouncing in the box and steered a volley home to restore Lavvy’s lead.

The tenacious hosts held on for their third straight win in Wessex Division One.

“We were not at our best and, bearing in mind we were only one of two games in our league to go ahead, the conditions underfoot were very tricky to say the least,” said boss Robbie Lakeman.

“Romsey were a totally different side from the one we played a few weeks ago. They have strengthened a lot and I think there were seven new names on their teamsheet. I think teams will find them a harder proposition in the second half of the season so I'm glad to have got them out of the way.”

Laverstock go to promotionchasers New Milton full of optimism in two days’ time as they aim to stretch their unbeaten run, in all competitions, to seven matches.

“I am pleased with the whole squad at the moment as when it looks like we might be stretched one week, the lads that come in do really well,” added Lakeman.

“We have some big games coming up in the next few weeks so it's important that everyone is playing and when they come in they do a good job.

“We have the confidence now to go to some of the top sides and compete properly, whereas at the start of the season that wasn't the case so I am really looking forward to the coming weeks to see how we do.”