Evesham 1, Sikh Union 3

SATURDAY'S hosts showed a huge improvement in the first half of their latest Coaching Solutions West Midlands Premier League game only to see the individual skill and class in front of goal of their unbeaten opponents prove decisive.

Evesham probably showed their best form of the season as they entertained the Coventry table toppers and, through a combination of good strong defence and bright passing, managed to take an early lead that they held until half-time.

Martin Husbands organised the def-ence well, while Neil Sollis and Frank Lake gave the opposition little space to show their attacking qualities.

In addition the aerial distribution from Husbands, and in particular, Lake gave the visitors little chance to build pressure on the home side.

Efficiently

Some of the passing was first class with Mark Armstrong, Seb Seneque and Stuart Harris constantly seeking possession and moving the ball on quickly and efficiently. Matt Baumber showed glimpses of skill up front and managed to deceive the opposition keeper after some excellent passing from midfield to give Mark Payne a simple tap-in.

Sikh Union became frustrated, obviously being used to dominating teams and they were relieved to hear the interval whistle.

Despite rousing words from skipper Steve Miller, Evesham played far too deep in the second half and allowed the visitors to attack with too much regularity.

This gave them more confidence and meant that the home side were reduced to creating chances by throwing long distance aerial passes - often into empty space or directly back to their opponents.

The pressure resulted in a short corner that the visitors managed to finally beat the otherwise excellent Guy Cassey.

Evesham seemed short of ideas going forward and created no chances of note in the second half.

The Sikh centre forward, a player of the highest skill, managed to create space in the area after seemingly not in a dangerous position and Evesham went behind as he then rifled a shot past Cassey.

Although Evesham then managed to push forward a little more, they still seemed unlikely to score a second goal and near the end, yet another short corner strike gave the visitors a comfortable, if flattering, margin of victory.

A disappointed Miller said: "We have in patches played our best hockey of the season and we have something positive to build on. But, we've still lost the game and need to find goals from somewhere."

Evesham remain out of the relegation zone and travel to fellow strugglers Droitwich on Saturday.

West Midlands Premier Division

P W D L F A Pts

Sikh Union 7 6 1 0 29 12 19

Solihull Bloss 6 5 1 0 21 8 16

Warwick 6 4 2 0 30 11 14

Walsall 7 4 1 2 18 9 13

KH Pickwick 7 3 2 2 16 18 11

Kidderminster 7 3 2 2 17 20 11

Stone 7 3 1 3 27 17 10

Finchfield 6 2 2 2 17 12 8

Evesham 8 1 0 7 8 41 3

Droitwich 7 0 1 6 7 22 1

Old Hales 8 0 1 7 9 29 1