LONG-serving defender Andy Smith has left Evesham United as manager Dave Busst freshens his squad ahead of tomorrow's Southern League Division One West clash against Brackley Town at Common Road (3pm).

Smith, into his fifth season at the Robins, has moved to his former club Solihull Borough after he was the subject of a seven-day notice from the struggling Premier Division outfit.

While the ex-Redditch United player leaves, creative right-sided forward Simeon Williams is poised to make his United debut after being drafted in from Nationwide North outfit Nuneaton Borough on a game-by-game basis.

Busst said: "Simeon has not been getting games at Nuneaton and we've got him on loan until they want him back. He's a fit lad and he gives us an option going forward.

"We are disappointed that Andy Smith has left but I can understand why he has gone because Solihull Borough are a division higher and he wants to better himself. He has been a great servant to the club."

The Robins have crashed out of two cup competitions within the space of eight days and Williams, along with the return of influential midfielder Gavin O'Toole, should provide fresh impetus to the side.

Busst was disappointed with United's FA Trophy preliminary round exit at Ashford Town last Saturday but admits now is the time for the club to knuckle down and focus on its league form.

Evesham have played just eight league games so far with their last encounter coming on September 25.

Winning each of their games in hand will leap them from seventh to top of the division ahead of leaders Mangotsfield United and Taunton Town.

Busst said: "It seems quite a long time ago since we last played a league game. We are now out of the FA Cup and FA Trophy so we can concentrate on the league and that is our priority.

"We were disappointed with last Saturday's result. Hopefully, it's a one-off because we need to get our league form going again."