Evesham Utd 2, Berkhamsted Tn 0

GARY Hay's first goal in an Evesham shirt couldn't have been better timed as the Robins found the basement visitors a tough nut to crack last night, writes Mervyn Collins.

It took the hosts 62 minutes to finally break down a determined Berkhamsted on a night when patience was the virtue.

The visitors arrived late, forcing the kick-off to be put back half-an-hour, but, after traffic chaos around Stratford, it was one-way in Worcester.

After numerous near-misses, Hay was handed a gift when Michael Hayden's corner fell at his feet four yards from goal and the former Kidderminster man netted easily.

Danny Scheppel came closest to breaking the stalemate in the first-half when his close-range drive hit the bar.

Daniel Lennon missed the best chance when shooting weakly at keeper Michael Underwood on 28 minutes.

Hay and top-scorer Mark Owen were a threat but a repeat of last season's goalless draw at St George's Lane was a distinct possibility.

But Paul West's side were far livelier after the restart and Owen was denied by a combination of post and goalkeeper four minutes after the restart.

Evesham keeper Nathan Vaughan kept out Greg Walsh's drive before a set-piece proved United's key to unlocking the visiting rearguard.

Hay profited from poor marking and the bombardment continued.

However, it wasn't until eight minutes from time that the points were guaranteed when Lennon cut in from the left and found the bottom corner of the net from 20 yards.

The win lifted Evesham into second place in British Gas Business Division One Midlands as they completed a January double over the strugglers from Hertfordshire.

Leamington could only manage one goal to overcome Cinderford and remain two points clear of Evesham, who have played one match fewer.

8:07am Wednesday 23rd January 2008

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