Problems ahead of tough test (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Problems ahead of tough test

ONE win in 13 matches is hardly the sort of form to inspire confidence that Evesham United will avoid relegation.

However, the Robins have lost just four of 15 matches and that shows that they are a difficult side to overcome and they will need all that resilience on Saturday when second in the table Chippenham Town visit Common Road.

Paul West will be forced to reshuffle his limited resources against a Wiltshire side that lost 3-1 at Kings Lynn on Tuesday.

Top scorer Richard Ball starts a two-match suspension, while captain Gavin O'Toole, who played for RC Warwick on Tuesday, has decided to leave.

The loss of Ball leaves a huge void in United's front line. The striker has scored 16 of Evesham's meagre haul of 33 league goals and it is expected that Jamie Bailey will partner Shane Benjamin.

Adam Blake, who scored his first goal for the club in a 1-1 draw at Bedford last weekend, is an option to fill in in midfield although Danny Hodnett should be fit after injury forced him out of his debut against Cheshunt.

"I'm having to work with what I've got for the time being but I'm optimistic that the squad is capable of grouping together and getting us out of trouble," West confidently declared.

"Saturday is a massive ask for the players and our home form has been pretty poor all season but that's something that we must try to remedy if we are going to escape."