Mangotsfield United 2 Evesham 0

MANGOTSFIELD stretched their lead at the top of Southern League Division One West to four points with this win over Evesham at Cossham Street on Saturday.

In difficult conditions, Mangotsfield battled hard and were good value for their success. They finished the game with 10 men after substitute Ollie Price was sent-off for a second bookable offence.

Mangotsfield survived a scare in the first minute when keeper Danny Greaves blocked a point-blank shot but, after having a penalty appeal turned down, they forced three corners, taking the lead on 15 minutes from the third when Evesham failed to clear and Mark Summers drove the ball home from 15 yards.

In the 37th minute Evesham keeper David Adey had to be stretchered off with a hamstring injury, with central defender Stuart Hamilton taking over his duties.

David Seal and James Zabek both went close in the second half before Mangotsfield clinched the game just before the final whistle, when Rob Claridge charged down an attempted clearance to set up Seal for his 12th goal of the season.

Evesham now slip to third place with Clevedon leapfrogging into second place after their 4-0 away win at Burnham.

United manager Martyn Grimshaw commented: "This was a good performance and the best we've played for some time, with the back four in commanding form."

l This Saturday Mangotsfield are away to Clevedon.

"They are on a run at the moment," said Grimshaw, "and this is obviously a very important game.

"We need to reproduce last week's form, be professional, and get a result."