Evesham 7, Bloxwich 2

EVESHAM maintained their recent good form with a comfortable victory against weak opponents to maintain their push for a top four place in the West Midlands Premier League.

Despite having made one or two positional changes, the hosts immediately settled into an early rhythm and put Bloxwich under immediate pressure.

Evesham controlled the game from the start and the Staffordshire-based side were barely able to either gain possession of the ball or leave their own half. As a result, it came as no surprise when Mark Brown produced a beautifully disguised free hit to allow Jamie Dodgson to open the scoring from close-range.

It seemed as though the floodgates would open as Evesham were so dominant, but their opponents, recognising that they were under considerable pressure chose to employ a nine-man defence.

For much of the rest of the half Evesham were frustrated by a compact and congested rearguard, However, their patience eventually paid off as they continued to play positive attacking hockey seeking openings and were rewarded as they managed to score three times in the final five minute.

Bearcroft netted a superb individual goal before beating an equally determined Seb Seneque to put the ball into an empty net.

Matt Baumber, Seb Seneque and Stuart Harris controlled the game in midfield and on half-time, Brown made no mistake to add a fourth goal.

With the game effectively over, Evesham were able to relax in the second half yet the defence will be disappointed to have conceded two soft goals through a lack of concentration.

Missed tackles allowed Bloxwich to score past a stranded James Nicholas, before poor reactions at a short corner provided the visitors with a second.

Skipper Martin Husbands continued his recent scoring form with a sharp turn and strike to beat the keeper, although he will be disappointed to have missed two clear further opportunities.

Bearcroft, however, was in no such mood and completed his hat-trick with a sharp deflected goal that the goalkeeper saw late and allowed to pass through his legs.

The outstanding James Tickle, who has been an inspiration in defence for much of the season, was given an opportunity to play in midfield and excellent teamwork set him up to score his first goal for the club.

Evesham travel to second in the table Old Halesonians on Saturday when they will be looking to repeat their victory earlier in the season.