Striker Jermaine back in training

6:20pm Wednesday 16th July 2008

JERMAINE Clarke has been training with Evesham United ahead of the club's new season in the British Gas Southern League Premier Division, writes Mervyn Collins.

The gangling striker made a huge impression during United's promotion season three years ago but was then loaned out to Redditch by then boss Dave Busst and he never came back.

“I have always stayed in touch and Jermaine texted me and asked if he could come along to training,”

Paul West

Clarke signed for Redditch permanently before a move to Bromsgrove and subsequent spell in Conference South with Newport County last season.

"I have always stayed in touch and Jermaine texted me and asked if he could come along to training," manager Paul West recalled. "He trained three times but has missed the last two sessions due to work. I am not making any plans for the future. If he's with us then great if he's not then that's how it is."

Mark Owen and Danny Scheppel trained for the first time on Tuesday and both will play at Malvern on Saturday (3pm) when Dave Adey will deputise for the holidaying Karl Lewis.

Danny Hodnett and Steve Lutz, who also missed the opening 5-0 friendly win at Pershore, could also make an appearance alongside the new faces who impressed last Friday.

A trio of newcomers were on the scoresheet after Paul Bonar had opened the scoring. Leon Woodley made it 2-0 at half-time after which further goals were netted by Mark Hands, Liam McDonald and Ibrahim Benjamin.

The Robins will start their Southern League Premier Division campaign with a trip to Bedford Town on Saturday, August 16.

The opening day hosts finished in the bottom four last term but earned a reprieve from relegation following a summer reshuffle of the leagues.

The Robins then face two home games at Worcester City against Chippenham Town and Gloucester City before an early catch up with former goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan's new club Halesowen Town on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29.

Big-spending Farnborough visit St George's Lane on Saturday, August 30 before a quiet September sees just three scheduled league games in FA Cup month.

October will see Paul West's men renew acquaintances with old foes Mangotsfield, Tiverton, Corby and Banbury United, while one of five games in November will bring a first-ever meeting with Bashley at Worcester on November 22.

The return with Halesowen is on Saturday, December 27 prior to a trip into Wales on the first day of 2009 and a tough test at Merthyr Tydfil.

The two Tuesday night matches scheduled for 2009 will see Mangotsfield and Stourbridge visit St George's Lane on January 27 and March 10 respectively.

Easter is late next year and a visit to Farnborough on Easter Saturday, April 11, and a home date with Merthyr two days later could be crucial if West's side find themselves in relegation trouble.

Hemel Hempstead will bring down the curtain at Worcester City on Saturday, April 18, while a visit to Hitchin Town seven days later ends what promises to be an interesting season in the top flight.

"There are lots of great matches to look forward to and it's the reality of what we have achieved," West admitted. "We fear no one and it will be great to play in front of some big crowds but we know it's going to hard."

Editor's Choice