TWO instinctive finishes rounded off a well-disciplined display for Laverstock and Ford’s slim squad after overcoming a plucky Andover New Street in a 2-1 victory.

In windswept conditions, both sides found it hard to play any meaningful football in the opening stages with a few chances at either end coming from defensive slips rather than good moves.

Laverstock started to gain confidence as the half went on and it wasn’t long before the midfield and forwards started linking up and causing the New Street back line problems at will.

The opening goal came on 25 minutes when Luke Lewis slotted a pinpoint ball through to partnerin- crime Ollie Batchelor, who skipped around the visiting keeper before sliding the ball into an empty net.

The second followed two minutes after when Lewis pressured the New Street centre half and nicked the ball, his instinctive finish gave the keeper no hope. The visitors looked to get back into the game but Lavvy’s patched up defence were solid and reduced them to only tame efforts on goal.

After the interval, Andover looked to press the Laverstock back line but found no way through.

This opened the game up for the Laverstock midfielders and forwards who were seeing some lastditch defending and good goalkeeping thwarting their best efforts.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, the visitors found a lifeline when a cross evaded the Lavvy defence before being nodded in at the back post by Prince Xhamela.

This seemed to kick start Laverstock back into life but once again they saw chances go to waste.

However, they hung on to put their recent double straight defeats behind them to ease away from the foot of the table.

Boss Robbie Lakeman said: “To be honest, we made hard work of the win as we were by far the better side but I am really happy with the performance as we were right up against it off the pitch and I feared that we may take that into the game.”

“Last week I had 19 players to choose from and this week I only had 12 fit and available which is not ideal in any circumstance.

“This meant I had to ask players to play out of position, the ones that did were outstanding and the whole side’s character was fantastic.”

Lavvy have a rest on Saturday before they divulge into a manic February schedule.

“We have six games this month, which includes two cup semi finals, two local derbies and two away trips to the Isle of White.

February will be a pivotal month in the context of our season so we need to get everyone back fit and focused ready to take on the challenges ahead, which everyone at the club is looking forward to,” Lakeman added.