Crowd can give a lift to high-flyers (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Crowd can give a lift to high-flyers

THE last time Evesham United lost at Common Road was more than four months ago when Mangotsfield, 3-1 winners at Stourport on Monday night, were the winners.

The battle between the top two attracted the second biggest crowd of the season yet the turnstiles have hardly been clicking healthily while the Robins have been mounting a sustained assault on the Southern League Division One West championship.

This Saturday represents an ideal opportunity for the town's public to get behind Evesham as they bid to move six points clear in second place while also trying to avenge last month's 2-0 defeat at Yate Town.

"We didn't do ourselves justice when we played them last time but we've got an early chance to get one over on them while also improving our position," said manager Dave Busst.

"We've won three on the bounce since then and promotion is still my priority and a win on Saturday will do our hopes a power of good."

Officials at the club have been putting into place various improvements to ensure that the ground attains the required grading for Premier Division football when Southern League officials visit Common Road tomorrow.

Busst will have plenty to mull over as he considers his team selection for this weekend's vital clash. Stuart Hamilton is ruled out by a one-match ban but Evesham will welcome back top scorer Richard Ball after a similar suspension.

Results of an X-ray on Matty Hall's injured foot will determine his participation, while the United manager was assessing the fitness of Steve Duncan at training last night.

Lee Knight is still ruled out but Dave Carns has two weeks leave from the Army and he will feature on Saturday.

There could also be a place for John Gayle in Busst's starting line-up after the former Birmingham striker impressed last weekend.

"John wasn't available today but he is on Saturday and I may well use him," the United manager revealed after Monday's victory.

"He did ever so well against Stourport and caused their defenders all sorts of problems and that's something that I feel certain he can do against Yate."

Saturday's match is being sponsored by Simcron of West Bromwich.