A MARTIN Husbands hattrick lifted Evesham’s spirits with a 4-3 home win over Yardley in ENER-G Men’s League West Midlands Division Two.

If they were smarting from the previous week’s 2-1 defeat at West Bromwich it did not show as the hosts opened with a high air of confidence and creative play.

Evesham dictated much of the first-half with concise passing between Marcus Humpston, Paul Martin and Husbands causing problems for Yardley’s defence.

Good movement in the ‘D’ presented Mark Sadler with a sixth-minute opener and Evesham maintained the lead to the interval as Yardley missed three fine chances on the break.

The visitors closed down the space in the second period but a flurry of attacks gave the Vale side two goals through man-of-the-match Husbands.

However, Evesham paid the price for sitting on their lead as Yardley sneaked a goal back and the hosts had to put in timely tackles and saves.

Husbands caught their opponents with a breakaway hat-trick clincher after a quick free-hit from Matt Grumball. But an untimely tackle from Humpston saw him yellow carded and Yardley took full advantage with two quick goals, including a penalty stroke.

However, second-from-bottom Evesham, who visit Newtown on Saturday, regained their composure to hold on to the win and are now four points off Yardley with a game in hand.

The seconds drew level on points with Kidderminster at the bottom of West Midlands Division Two with a crucial 2-1 win at their Worcestershire rivals.

Fielding a full-strength side, Evesham made a strong start but still needed positive keeping from Paul Nash and good defending by Paul Knibbs to stay level.

In the second period, Evesham’s efforts were rewarded when Andy Osborne put them ahead only for Kidderminster to draw level.

But the equaliser reignited the visitors who secured the points when Richard Fear converted a penalty corner.