MANAGER Paul Collicutt is delighted with the way Evesham United have come on in leaps and bounds in the past 12 months.

The Robins have transformed themselves from a side treading mid-table water this time last season to one sitting third and pushing for promotion from Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West.

Their rise has featured a phenomenal run ahead of Saturday’s visit of third-from-bottom Fleet Town to the Spiers and Hartwell Jubilee Stadium (3pm).

Collicutt said: “We have lost just once in 19 games, which is nearly half-a-season. I can’t grumble about the position we are in. It just proves how much the team have moved on in these 12 months.

“We have tried not to accept second-best and the biggest thing of all is winning. That lifts confidence levels and helps move players on.

“Will Wellon, although he’s injured at the moment, is a classic case of someone whose performance levels have improved no end since last season, while Jared Wilson and Carl Brown would come into that category as well.

“Ashley Edenborough had one of his best games for us on Saturday too.”

Striker Edenborough bagged two goals in last weekend’s 4-1 victory at Totton alongside efforts from captain Matt Sysum and Wilson.

Collicutt said: “I was pleasantly surprised by the way we went about our business.

“One thing that is encouraging at the moment is the amount of chances we are creating.

“We played some good football but we go into the Fleet game knowing it won’t be easy. We played them in the first game of the season away and conceded a goal inside 30 seconds.

“They have got their problems, are in a dogfight and will make life difficult for us. We have got our work cut out and have got to get on with looking after ourselves.”

Striker Lance Smith returns but defenders Wellon (hamstring) and Lewis Binns (ankle), midfielder Elliot Kennedy (personal reasons) and winger Marcus Jackson (wedding) are missing.

Meanwhile, Evesham United Ladies lost 1-0 at home to leaders Hereford Lads Club in the Midwest Counties League.

The second-placed hosts only had 11 players available due to injuries and conceded the only goal after 10 minutes.