Evesham United 3, Rugby United 2

A BLISTERING Bank Holiday Mon-day clash left exhilarating Evesham on top of the table and eager for more, writes Mervyn Collins.

Twelve points out of 12 has left the Common Road two points clear in the Western Division and Phil Mullen's men fired out a warning to the rest of the section after a fourth successive win.

On this evidence they will take some stopping. But I said the same at the same stage last term and I don't have to remind people what happened next!

Somehow, though, the squad this season has a different feel - and hunger - about the task that lies before them in the next eight months.

It took them just 56 seconds to make their mark on the game as Sam Bowen made it three goals in three days as he finished off a delightful move involving Steve Taylor and Mark Wolsey.

Terrific

The striker didn't need any help to restore United's lead on 22 minutes after Marvin Marston had glanced a sixth minute free kick past Damien Beattie. Bowen cut in from the left, left two defenders in his wake and thumped a terrific strike past Paul Beresford from 25 yards.

No quarter was given by either side in a riproaring contest that threatened to boil over just before the break when Andy Smith and Phil Murphy squared up on halfway.

Two yellow cards and a handshake sufficed to restore order before the sides left the field for a well-deserved interval cuppa.

Rugby came out the more refreshed and they caught out their hosts within three minutes as Robbie Beard raced clear down the left before crossing for Pete Spacey to volley past an exposed Beattie.

Dean Roberts saw his flighted centre rebound into play off the crossbar with Beresford beaten but the keeper was helpless on the hour when Roberts raced clear form 50 yards before crashing a clinical finish into the corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Phil Preedy and Jay Powell both went near to regaining a two-goal cushion.

The all important third goal arrived with 1l minutes remaining and killed off the spirited hosts.

Taylor helped on a free kick from Rogers and Bowen rounded Wright before walking the ball into the empty net.

Visiting keeper Damien Beattie, who was involved in a car crash on his way to the game, showed his talent with a great reflex stop to push aside a powerful header from the Rovers scorer.

Beattie wasn't the only to suffer on the road. Chairman Jim Cockerton drove to the wrong ground before Rocester officials informed him of his embarrassing mistake!

The club's youth team are in action tonight when Worcester City are the visitors to Common Road for a first qualifying round FA Youth Cup tie.

Next Wednesday, the youngsters entertain Malvern Town in the Southern Division of the Midland Floodlit League. Both games kick off at 7.30pm.

Shaun Carter, and not Danny Hodgkins, scored the winner in last week's 1-0 defeat of Southam United.