Defining trio of tests for Robins (From Evesham Journal)

Defining trio of tests for Robins

11:00am Thursday 14th February 2013 in Sport

EVESHAM United’s destiny this season could be shaped by their next three games, according to manager Paul West.

The Robins stretched their unbeaten run to four matches last Saturday by winning 3-1 at Winchester City for their first victory of 2013.

However, that record will be put to the test by a sequence of fixtures against teams in the Evo-Stik Southern Football League Division One South and West top four.

Evesham visit Swindon Supermarine on Saturday (3pm) before travelling to Poole Town on Tuesday (7.45pm) and hosting Hungerford Town the following weekend.

West, whose side are 13th, said: “These next few weeks are important for us because in some ways it will define our season.

If we get positive results, it might be able to throw us up the table.

“It’s a good opportunity to see the players against the better sides. We start with Swindon and that will be a good test for us.

“We all want to win but have to make sure we are difficult to beat.

“Our Achilles heel has been not scoring in good passages of play.

“I am delighted for the players that they got their just rewards against Winchester.”

The only injury concern for Evesham, who drew three consecutive games before the Winchester win, is captain and centre-half Matt Sysum who hurt his back last weekend but should be fit to make the trip to Supermarine.

• Former Evesham United junior Matt Smith is dreaming of another televised FA Cup giantkilling act when his Oldham Athletic side face Premier League high-fliers Everton on Saturday (6pm).

The 6ft 6ins striker grabbed national headlines last month after his two-goal salvo knocked the Toffees’ Merseyside neighbours Liverpool out of the competition.

Smith, 23, who two years ago was playing for Littleton in the Midland Combination, has not played since that victory due to a shoulder injury but has declared himself fit.