BOSS Paul Collicutt reckons Evesham United’s 13 remaining games will all have a “cup final” feel.

The Robins sit fourth in Southern League Division One South but have seven teams within six points of them in the case for the top five and all bar one has a game in hand.

United’s push for the play-offs was not helped by a 3-1 defeat at Yate at the weekend – a match which saw defenders Linden Dovey and Kai Fisher sent off – and Collicutt admitted crunch time had arrived ahead of Saturday’s home clash with struggling Slimbridge (3pm).

“There are 13 games left and each of them is a cup final now,” said Collicutt

“It is starting to get very tight up there. It makes for a lot of excitement but also means we have to perform on a consistent basis.

“Saturday will not be easy. It is a derby and Slimbridge always up their game against us, whether it be at our place or theirs they are a difficult side to play against.

“They are at the wrong end of the table but as I have said a number of times, you only have to look at the results across the course of the season to see that these teams fighting for their lives can be dangerous against anyone.”

Dovey and Fisher serve one-match bans this weekend and midfielder Archie Haskayne is now unavailable despite an unexpected extension to his Robins stint prior to joining the army.

Collicutt has bolstered his ranks with winger Toumani Sidibe joining from league rivals Highworth Town and making his debut from the bench at Yate.

“He is living in Gloucester so being at Evesham is easier for him than being at Highworth,” said Collicutt.

“The lad showed some quality in the game against us and with Cory (Simpson, broken leg) being out for a while it gives us another option down the sides.

“He can play on the right or left and knows some of the lads already through his connection to Hartpury College so he should settle quickly. I am pleased to get him on board.”