North Staffs II 5, Evesham II 2

LAST weekend's Coaching Solutions West Mid-lands Division One game saw Evesham take the long trip up the M6 to face the team at the top of the table.

The visitors started as a very compact unit, unlike previous weeks, with Matt Haines and Alun Williams cutting out all the opposition's possession.

Evesham took the lead when Matt Grumble won a short corner and Daryl Drinkwater smashed the ball home at the second attempt.

North Staffs then took control of the game but were unable to score thanks to the excellent defending of Roger Hemming and Richard Haines.

Evesham were unlucky not to double their lead when Mark Dufty beat two players and pulled the ball back to Rob Leighton but unfortunately he couldn't guide the ball into the net.

With five Minutes remaining of the half the hosts had a deflected shot kept out by goalkeeper Marcus Humpston but the rebound was bundled over the line.

Evesham regrouped at half-time but, with Paul Martin pushing up front to create more movement, control of the midfield was lost. In the space of eight minutes, North Staffs scored three quick goals - two from harshly awarded short corners!

The visitors kept their heads and pushed forward and went close to scoring, but they were caught on the break and the hosts snatched a fifth goal.

With time running out Dave Turner crossed to the far post and John Grumble knocked the ball past the stranded keeper for a well deserved consolation.

Evesham visit Bromsgrove for a 1pm start at Trinity High School on Saturday.

Other results: Evesham III 2, Pershore III 2 (Gary Tucker, Liam Ridings); Pershore 2 (Richard Lisle, Russell Scudamore), Newtown 2.