JORDAN Pavett feels that Halstead Town have shown from their post-Christmas form that they are the strongest team in Thurlow Nunn League division one south and that they can now press on for promotion in the closing months of the campaign.

After their 3-1 win at Little Oakley at the start of the month, Halstead have had a quiet February, but they return to action with a home game against Hackney Wick on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Despite Town not slipping from their second-place position during their three weeks of inactivity, it has been an enforced break that may have been unwelcome at the Milbank Stadium as the Humbugs were in excellent form through January.

Since Christmas, big wins against Wivenhoe Town and Fire United got them back on track after a tricky spell during the early part of December, but their position at the heart of the promotion battle was really emphasised by a 2-0 win against high-flying Harwich & Parkeston.

And, with them now getting back up and running in the final push to the end of the campaign, Pavett is convinced that a Halstead side playing to their full potential cannot be matched by anyone else in division one south.

“We are looking for number one spot in the league and that’s the main priority," he said.

“We are the best team in the league, hands down.

“Our performances of late have been showing that.

“Every team we have played recently has said we have been the best they’ve faced in the league so it’s credit to the club and what Mark (McLean) and the staff are creating.

“January was a big month for us and we now have that belief back.

“We had an iffy period where maybe we doubted ourselves a bit but our performances have shown what we are about.

“People will look at us and see what we have.

“We’re up for winning the league this year.”