Evesham 4, Old Halesonians 3

A LONG awaited first win of the season was posted after Saturday's nailbiting bottom of the table clash in the West Midlands Premier League.

The win lifted Evesham out of the bottom three for the first time this season and gives then a platform on which to build over the next few weeks.

Despite missing several key players, the hosts started positively although, fielding a reorganised side, inevitably led to several passes going astray early on.

Midfielders Steve Miller, Mark Armstrong and Seb Seneque worked tirelessly and skilfully to create openings for the attack while trying to deny space in midfield when without the ball.

Early opportunities were few and far between as the midfield cancelled each other out. Yet, after 15 minutes, good work along the right from Frank Lake and Mark Payne provided Kevin Jobson with a rare shooting chance that he struck with power and precision into the bottom corner.

The lead was shortlived as the visitors threw men forward and the home side appeared disorganised as the ball fell loosely for a forward to strike the ball past Guy Cassey.

The Vale side took the chance to re-organise themselves at the interval and they were much tighter in the second period.

Ricky Dore ran his heart out in attack, but he will be disappointed not to have made more of some good chances that came his way.

However, he made no mistake from a superb Payne cross as he controlled the ball quickly before striking an unstoppable shot past ex-Evesham keeper Jim Gold- straw.

Within minutes, Evesham extended their lead thro-ugh Payne whose strike from a short corner was deflected into the roof of the net.

The visitors now stepped up the tempo and Evesham struggled to cope and their recent lack of confidence was evident as two soft goals were conceded.

Martin Husbands, playing in defence for the first time and organising well, bec-ame erratic in his distribution and provided chances for the visitors that they took with ten minutes to go to leave the match all-square.

Both sides now pressed for victory but, with the game looking likely to end in a draw, another excellent short corner saw a Dodgson shot stopped illegally on the line that res-ulted in a penalty stroke for the home side.

Husbands stepped forward to calmly place the ball past the keeper to give Evesham the lead that only stayed intact after an outstanding piece of defending from Lake.

A jubilant Husbands commented: "Everybody played their part and lots of people have worked tirelessly to turn things around.

"We've got a good team spirit and, while it's only one win, it's definitely something to build on."

The relieved winners will nee all their new found confidence when they tackle unbeaten Sikh Union from Coventry at Evesham High School on Saturday (2.30pm).