Romsey extended their impressive unbeaten run to eight games with a comfortable 2-0 victory at bottom club Fleet Spurs last Saturday, followed up by a 5-0 thumping of Verwood Town on Tuesday evening at The AEC Protection Ground.

Their third clean sheet in successive games saw the Bypass Boys move to just two points off the final play off spot in Division One with three more home games to follow in the next ten days, writes Tony Galsworthy.

At the weekend first half goals from Owen Holloway and skipper Jack Odam were enough to complete Town’s second league double of the season. Head Coach Osborne gave a starting debut to former Hythe left back George Pooley, whilst Alex Wilson switched to the right back berth in the absence of the injured Harry Prisk. From the kick-off Town dominated possession and it was little surprise when they went ahead in the ninth minute. Excellent close control by Oliver Jenkins on the right flank allowed Charlie Rattley to swing over a pinpoint cross to Odam at the back post and he laid the ball into the path of Owen Holloway who swept in into the corner of the net from 12 yards.

Rattley and Odam combined again in the 23rd minute to double Town’s advantage. A defence splitting pass from Rattley found Odam, who had drifted in from the left flank into the inside right channel and he gleefully despatched a low shot into the net past the helpless Spurs’ skipper and goalkeeper Aaron Bufton. At this stage Romsey’s travelling fans anticipated a heavy defeat for the hosts, but their youthful back line defended resolutely and restricted Town to just one further clearcut chance in the remainder of the half. A mishit clearance by Bufton saw Liam Magee look certain to add a third goal as he raced clear, but his final touch took him away from goal and the danger was snuffed out.

The second half saw a greatly improved performance from the hosts. Pooley, who had needed treatment before the interval, was soon withdrawn and replaced by Kieran Hancock, whose full bloodied challenge on Jude House saw him quickly booked, as House limped out of the contest.

Town could not emulate their earlier slick passing and the match developed into a scrappy affair, though ‘keeper Valero was little troubled by the Spurs’ attack which lacked a cutting edge. Until that is Spurs introduced substitute Kai Francis and he created his side’s best two chances. The first saw a long shot clip the outside of the post with Valero well beaten, then a quick shot on the turn after the ball had bounced around the area hit the outside of the other post. As Fleet pressed for a consolation, it took a double save from Bufton to deny first Magee and then Holloway as Town finished the game in control again.

On a cold Tuesday evening a three-figure crowd were treated to a first half blitz by Romsey as they blew away the opposition and raced into a 4-0 lead inside 26 minutes. Midfield maestro Oliver Jenkins notched his first hat trick for the club and Jack Odam added a penalty awarded for handball. The second half may have lacked the raw energy and intensity of the first 45 minutes, as Town comfortably held an improved Potters’ side at arm’s length but finished on a high note with a Charlie Rattley strike in the 91st minute completing the rout.

Town are at home again when they entertain Ash United tomorrow (ko 3pm), looking to complete a league double having won the reverse fixture 5-1 and then welcome Compton to the AEC Protection Ground next Tuesday evening (ko 7.45pm) in a Southampton Senior Cup tie.