Old Halesonians 1, Evesham 2

EVESHAM secured a valuable victory against determined opponents to put some daylight between themselves and the bottom two.

Having to make more enforced changes, Saturday's visitors gave a first senior start to Richard Haines in defence and a seasonal debut for Matt Grumball in attack.

Evesham began positively and, although the home side almost took the lead in the opening minutes, it was the Vale side that was then more likely to score during the first half.

Matt Baumber and Seb Seneque dominated midfield and Stuart Harris played with more attacking purpose as he has been able to do for most of the season.

Dominated

As they dominated possession and territory, chances began to emerge and both Stuart Bearcroft and Martin Husbands, returning to the attack, posed problems with their skill and helped force a number of short corners.

At the third attempt, an excellent well-rehearsed move saw Seneque set up skipper Steve Miller to place the ball past a stranded goalkeeper.

Just before half-time, Evesham scored a valuable second when Husbands picked up the ball at a short corner and fired an unstoppable shot into the corner.

Halesonians played like a side with little to lose in the second period when they threw players forward at every opportunity.

Evesham began to defend deeper and invite pressure and it was no surprise when the home side halved the arrears past the otherwise excellent Leo Kimbel to set up an exciting final 20 minutes.

Yet, for all their effort, the home side rarely looked like scoring with Haines, Mark Armstrong and James Tickle in commanding form.

Evesham had a couple of half-chances near the end to extend their lead but good saves from the home keeper denied them.

Delighted skipper Miller said: "This is a huge result. Everyone is shattered having played and defended magnificently. It doesn't mean we're safe, we still need another good result, but it puts the bottom two under a lot of pressure."

The winners travel to Sikh Union in Coventry on Saturday.