RICHARD Ball might have signed off without a goal last Saturday but he has signed on for more two years at Common Road, writes Mervyn Collins.

The striker's ignominious conclusion to a fabulous scoring season saw Ball limp out of Saturday's game against Bath City with an injury that also ruled him out at Cirencester.

His red card earlier this month has brought a two-match ban that will see him on the sidelines for Evesham's crucial final two games.

However, the 25-year-old's decision to pledge his future to the club adds a welcome dose of optimism at a time when the club is on the brink of slipping out of the top flight.

Confident

"I love the club and the people there," Ball admitted. I've got a lot of time for Westy and he knows what he wants for next season and, I am confident that we can be successful otherwise I wouldn't have signed."

Ball arrived at Common Road from Sutton Coldfield in December 2004 and has scored 37 goals in just 57 starts for the Robins.

While Ball has made his mark in attack this term, fellow forward Shane Benjamin has been released after moving from Studley in February.

Defenders Anthony Watson and Steven Hands have will remain at Common Road as manager Paul West starts to put together his pool of players for next term.

West will welcome back Leon Blake at Yate on Saturday and is hopeful that Stephen Luckett, who isn't staying at the club, will be able to bolster a squad that was down to the bare bones at Cirencester. However, Danny Hodnett's spell at Common Road is at an end as he has been recalled by Worcester City.

Nathan Vaughan is likely to be available this weekend and could replace Darren Knurek who received heaps of praise from West after keeping a clean sheet on Easter Monday.

"Darren was absolutely superb and I would have no problem playing him again if Nathan doesn't make it," a delighted West, admitted.