MANAGER Paul Collicutt believes tomorrow’s match against in-form Shortwood United (3pm) is the most important of Evesham United’s season to date.

The Robins enjoyed a promising start to the campaign but have faltered in recent weeks and are currently on a nine-game winless streak in all competitions.

Four of those have been in Southern League Division One South and West, leaving United languishing in 14th place.

But the match against Shortwood, who are nine games unbeaten in the league, is the first of three home matches for Evesham.

Collicutt said: “I would say tomorrow is the most important game of the season. It’s up to us whether we can kick start the season.

“We have had three away games on the bounce and they have been hard games. We went to Taunton last weekend and came back with a deserved point but we could have had more and that’s been the story of the season.

“We have only lost four games this season but we have drawn seven.”

Evesham have also been unable to field a settled side and are again without key personnel.

Top of the list is keeper Kevin Sawyer, who serves a one-match ban after being sent off against Tiverton.

Captain Matt Sysum, who scored a last-minute penalty to earn the 1-1 draw at Taunton, starts a two-game ban.

While Ashley Edenborough returns from suspension, strike partner Lance Smith remains sidelined with a broken finger. Fellow forward Carl Brown is back in contention following work commitments.