EVERYTHING is still in the melting pot as Evesham United get set to stage their final Southern League Division One game of the season on Saturday.

Cinderford Town, who put a huge dent in the Common Road side's promotion challenge earlier this month, are the visitors for a match that the Robins must win to pip Yate Town for runners-up spot behind champions Mangotsfield.

Even then, three points might not even be enough because a draw for Yate at Rothwell will send the Lodge Road side into the Premier Division on goal difference.

If Yate avoid defeat in Northamptonshire and United gain revenge over a Cinderford side that will end the campaign with four games in five days, then at least Dave Busst's side will have the chance to end the season with a play-off double-header on home soil.

The opener will be a semi-final on Monday, kick-off 3pm, and it could be against Brackley, the side they defeated last weekend when they returned to winning ways after a four-game sequence without a win.

However, Ashford are in sixth place going into Saturday's matches with Brackley and Paulton Rovers waiting for any slip-ups.

Should the unthinkable happen and Evesham lose at home for a second successive match and Clevedon win at next-to-bottom Oxford City, then Busst's men could face a Bank Holiday clash with Bromsgrove Rovers, who have also suffered a recent attack of the jitters.

What is certain, though, is that home wins on Saturday and Monday will mean a further extension to the season and a place in the play-off final at Common Road against the winners of the other semi-final.

The prospect of a couple of bumper crowds and the financial boost to the club won't soften the blow of the Robins missing out on automatic promotion. But, of the sides beneath them at present, only Paulton have managed to inflict a league defeat on Evesham this term with the Common Roaders recording league doubles over Clevedon and Bromsgrove and winning and drawing their games with Ashford and Brackley.

Neil O'Sullivan's season will now be over should United not reach the final after the full back received a two-match ban for his red card against Bedworth.

However, Busst could bring in fresh ammunition for the play-offs when he will have Redditch trio Daire Doyle, Sean Flynn and Mark Taylor eligible with former United favourite Phil Preedy.

Whether he involves any of his deadline signings or keeps faith with the players who have taken the club agonisingly close to the Premier Division, the fans will have to wait and see.

There will be a quiz in the clubhouse at Common Road after Saturday's game starting at 7.30pm with entry at £10 for a team of five. The presentation night is on Saturday, May 7 at Evesham Marina.

l Match report - Page 87.