Jermaine at the double

JERMAINE Clarke did his hopes of being part of United's plans for next season a heap of good with last Saturday's brace that ended United's topsy-turvy campaign on a winning note.

The striker's fourth goal in the last two games of the Western Division season helped the Robins reach 50 points, secure a third league double of the winter and record a fourth win in five matches.

It was scrappy stuff on a terrible surface at The Oval but victory will have pleased Evesham boss Dave Busst who can look back with an immense amount of pride on the job he has done since taking over last November.

The visitors took to the field without Simon Marsh, while the absence of Craig Nicholls prompted a rare midfield start for Adam Guest who also did future hopes no harm with an impressive display.

Tim Clarke returned in goal but it was namesake Jermaine, who has proved one of the boss's best acquisitions, who caught the eye especially in the first half.

The striker's persistence after 24 minutes brought a mistake from James Richardson and the alert Clarke lobbed an astute opener past a stranded Gary Hateley.

Tim Clarke produced a smart stop to thwart James Wood before United doubled their advantage before the break.

Craig Pountney touched a free-kick for Andy Smith to fire goalwards. Hateley could only parry the ball and Clarke reacted quickest on the turn to sweep in his second.

Busst's men should really have had the points wrapped up before the interval. Pountney shot wide when well placed following Clarke's deft back heel, while Marc Burrow saw his effort on the stroke of half-time wiped out for offside.

Danny Williams shaved a post with a 52nd minute strike as United searched for a clincher, while Bedworth's best effort saw goalkeeper Clarke produce a flying save to keep out Neil O'Sullivan's stinging free-kick.

The home side hauled themselves back into contention with 11 minutes remaining when Lee Moore scored at the second attempt after Clarke's initial save. However, Evesham were in no mood to be beaten and the season ended with a flourish.

The three points couldn't left Busst's men any further up the table - primarily because of Mangot-sfield's nine-goal demolition of Shepshed.

United move above Taunton Town but the Bristol side's goal feast reduced a goal difference of nine to nothing, while the Common Roaders ended the season at minus one to finish in a comfortable 14th place.

The victory also lifted to a dozen the number of league wins recorded in Busst's 25 matches in charge. Ironically, 12 of those have been lost with three draws - results that have helped the Robins amass an impressive 39 points in the manager's short term of office.

Dr Martens League

Western Division

P W D L F A Pts

Redditch 40 25 9 6 75 30 84

Gloucester 40 24 7 9 77 46 79

Cirencester 40 24 4 12 73 40 76

Halesowen 40 20 13 7 64 40 73

Rugby Utd 40 21 8 11 57 40 71

Team Bath 40 21 6 13 62 41 69

Solihull 40 19 9 12 50 31 66

Sutton C 40 16 15 9 52 38 63

Bromsgrove 40 16 11 13 60 48 59

Ilkeston 40 16 10 14 58 59 58

Clevedon 40 16 5 19 55 59 53

Gresley 40 15 7 18 52 60 52

Mangotsfield 40 14 8 18 70 70 50

Evesham 40 15 5 20 56 57 50 Taunton 40 14 8 18 50 55 50

Yate 40 11 9 20 51 79 42

Swindon S 40 10 9 21 41 69 39

Stourport 40 9 11 20 43 62 38

Bedworth 40 8 12 20 39 61 36

Cinderford 40 7 9 24 50 94 30

Shepshed 40 5 13 22 31 87 28