Evesham Utd 3, Burnham 1

THREE top quality finishes ensured three valuable points and extended United's unbeaten league record at Common Road to six matches.

Saturday was one occasion when Evesham showed something like their real form despite only sealing victory 15 minutes from time.

Burnham rarely threatened although they almost rocked the Robins inside the opening minute when Michael Bartley struck the inside of an upright before Anthony Watson cleared the ball to safety.

Jermaine Clarke saw an effort cleared off the line as United quickly settled into their rhythm but it took a minute over the half-an-hour mark for the hosts to take the lead when Ball latched on to a Watson long ball and cut in from the left before finding the net.

The injured Marc Burrow had been replaced by Grant Pinkney after 14 minutes and a second substitute, Danny Williams, was thrust into the fray on the hour to replace Clarke.

It took the new man only 15 minutes to make his mark when Ball turned provider with a defence splitting pass that Williams fired first time past the Burnham goalkeeper.

The home faithful were sent home happy five minutes from time when Gavin O'Toole's pass picked out Ball who again cut inside and drove a low shot into the visiting side's net.

After his misfortune in the opening minute, Bartley fared better in the last when he beat Tim Clarke from close-range after getting on the end of a cross but the goal only denied the hosts a first clean sheet of 2005 on an afternoon when the topsy-turvy top of the table action saw Dave Busst's side halve Mangotsfield's lead to just two points.