Evesham Utd 1, Ashford Tn 0

A SOLITARY Steve Duncan strike and results elsewhere have left the Robins in a strong position at the top end of Southern League Division One West, writes Mervyn Collins.

Saturday's three points and the failure of three of the four teams immediately above them to match that tally leaves the Common Roaders four points off the top with three matches in hand!

Dave Busst's side also boasts the best defensive record in the section and that particular aspect of United's season so far had to be at its strongest as the Middlesex visitors poured forward in search of an equaliser.

Unsung Anthony Watson was a calming influence at the back alongside Steven Hands and Lee Knight on an afternoon when the decision to play five across the back worked a treat.

Leon Blake and Grant Pinkney covered acres of ground on the flanks, while Duncan, Simeon Williams and Gavin O'Toole weren't afraid of getting their kit dirty in the mud.

Ravi Sangha and Wesley Joyce also worked tremendously hard in their team's cause, while completing a committed all-round show were substitutes David Carns and Jermaine Clarke.

It's that team spirit and the fact that only 19 names have appeared in the starting 11 for United's opening 15 matches that has left Evesham in fine shape ahead of a busy month.

Duncan matched O'Toole's cracker at Bromsgrove with his seventh minute winner from 25 yards but chances were scarce at both ends with neither goalkeeper seriously tested.

The wind and squally showers made life tricky and both teams found it easier playing into the wind as the hosts, like Ashford in the first half, found passes catching the wind and taken out of reach of willing chasers.

Anthony Joseph blasted Town's best chance wide, while Tim Clarke was relieved to see an inswinging corner just prior to half-time rebound back into play off the frame of the goal.

Blake provided Sangha with a couple of sights of goal but a 15th minute back post chance was poked narrowly wide and the striker then found the midriff of Paul Burgess with a later effort.

The Ashford keeper produced a rare save to keep out Blake's drive seven minutes into the second period before the wing back combined with Will-iams to set up Duncan but his shot curled wide.

Clarke replaced Sangha on 64 minutes before a rash of yellow cards was the prelude to tempers reaching boiling point five minutes from time when Town substitute Andy Frost saw red five minutes from time after striking Knight off the ball.

The skipper needed extensive treatment but recovered to help keep a clean sheet.

Chances suddenly appeared at the opposite end with Clarke and Duncan going close and Joyce finding the side and the top of the net as the Robins sought a clincher.

The striker almost had the final say with an injury-time shot that flew wide but Duncan's early strike proved sufficient to establish United as real title contenders and, judging by the pre-match huddle and post-match warm down, the players are deadly serious about their ambitions.

Southern League Division One West (top)

P W D L F A Pts

Taunton Tn 14 8 3 3 27 17 27

Rothwell Tn 14 8 3 3 26 18 27

Mangotsfield 13 7 3 3 29 18 24

Sutton C 13 7 3 3 18 12 24

Evesham Utd 11 7 2 2 20 11 23

Clevedon Tn 13 7 0 6 19 19 21