Romsey Town banked another three points after a good performance saw them to victory at Burnaby Road on Saturday.

US were able to field a much better side than the previous time the two clubs met. Romsey won 5-nil at the beginning of December but were happy enough with 3-1 this time after a game that had been far from an easy ride.

The first time US touched the ball was when their keeper picked the ball out of the back of the net. A flowing move from the kick-off culminated in slide-rule passes from Simon Geddes and Andy Kemp, and Simon De'ath scored from six yards.

The servicemen responded well to this early setback and Romsey had to dig deep to keep them out as they sprayed some good passes around. But Town's hand was strengthened when US had a player sent off, apparently for some fairly innocuous verbals directed at a team-mate.

The hosts equalised five minutes after the break with Romsey backing off too much, but Town then started to get a grip in midfield, and Andy Kemp at last came alive.

Kemp's cross on 60 minutes gave De'ath the chance to volley home an excellent second goal, and the striker completed his hat-trick shortly afterwards, Simon Woodley the provider this time.

Dean Constable worked hard throughout and was unlucky not to add a fourth when he wriggled free and beat the US keeper with a flick, but his shot rebounded to safety off of the post.

One sour note from an otherwise satisfactory afternoon was the dismissal of midfielder Nick Thomas for a second caution; both sides agreed that the red card was harsh. After a rare midweek break Romsey return to league action tomorrow (Saturday) with a tricky away game at Petersfield Town, who lie one place below them in fifth.