On target: Daniel Lennon scored two minutes after coming as substitute.

Evesham Utd 1, Leighton Tn 0

TWO players who have played significant parts in Evesham's rise to the summit took on different roles as the Robins recorded an eighth straight win at St George's Lane last Saturday.

Goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan kept a seventh clean sheet in eight games to take his league tally to 15 in 27 matches.

However, it was Vaughan's free-kick on the half-hour mark that led to Daniel Lennon netting the only goal of the game.

Similarly, Mark Owen's 23 goals have played a huge part in Paul West's men rising to the top of the table in fabulous fashion but it was the striker's positioning on his own goalline that served the Robins well as he cleared Andy Fagan's header off the line seven minutes before Lennon struck.

That's the teamwork ethic that manager West has instilled into his side and the determination and commitment was again there all for all to witness against a visiting side that hadn't tasted defeat for a dozen games.

The hosts started the brighter and Joe Clarke twice went close with shots in the opening ten minutes.

James McNulty's strike at the other end deflected for a corner off Mark Hands before the best move of the game saw Clarke's 22nd minute pass send Gary Hay scmapering down the left but Owen just failed to convert his centre.

The top scorer did connect at the other end to keep the game goalless and then shot wide after controlling Michael Hayden's pass.

Solid line: Steve Luckett was again impressive alongside fellow central defenders Steve Hands and Danny Hodnett.

Danny Scheppel limped off with a recurrence of a knee problem after 28 minutes and Lennon struck almost instantly after Steve Lutz had seen his header from Vaughan's free-kick pushed out by Nigel Maarman.

United had an escape when Leon Cashman scuffed his shot from a great position but the visitors could have trailed by two at half-tiem had Julian Old not cleared off the line after Lennon had rounded Maarman.

Vaughan made a fine double stop from Gallant three minutes after the restart but that was his only serious moment of alarm as Danny Hodnett, Steve Hands and Steve Luckett again displayed their determination to keep the opposition out.

Lennon's mazy run after 68 minutes ended with Maarman making the save. The scorer then produced a tame finish after finding himself in the clear and then shot over the top after more intricate skills.

A second goal wasn't needed so when Owen went to ground in the penalty area late on the referee's decision not to award a spot-kick proved irrelevant as the league leaders registered a third single goal success in eight days to remain seven points clear of closest rivals Leamington.

The match was sponsored by APR Home Improvements of Evesham and the ball by Broadmark Services of Broadway.

8:17am Monday 18th February 2008

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