STRIKER Ricky Johnson's seven-minute second-half hat-trick helped Evesham United to their biggest win of the season as they thrashed Larkhall Athletic 5-0 on Tuesday night. 

Johnson put the game to bed after the break as he struck on the 50th, 55th and 57th minute of the contest.

Jordan Lymn had put The Robins ahead just after the half-hour mark to give Mike Ford's side a 1-0 half-time lead before Johnson's goal-scoring spree. 

Kyle Belmonte then rifled one into the bottom corner late on to wrap up a comprehensive victory for Evesham, that keeps them within touching distance of the play-off spots. 

Having lost back-to-back games in recent weeks, Ford's side could ill-afford to let the losing streak stretch to three games. 

Such is the nature of the Southern League Division One South, the race for play-off positions is extremely tight. 

Tavistock currently hold the final spot in fifth with 38 points but only seven points separate the next eight places, with 13th placed Bishops Cleeve on 31.

Evesham's win on Tuesday means they are two points off Tavistock.

It was a game Evesham needed to win and they dominated the early exchanges before finally taking the lead mid-way through the first-half.

Alfie Dunn's strike from the edge of the box cannoned off the upright and Lymn was there to pick up the pieces and fire a low finish into the corner. 

Evesham had deserved the lead but were perhaps lacking a clinical edge that would have made it a more comfortable score at half-time.

But Johnson went on to emphasise his finishing ability shortly after the restart.

The impressive Lymn turned provider this time as his cross was headed off the bar and over the line by Johnson, who was head and shoulders above the defenders in the box. 

He had a second five minutes later, this time with his left foot as he slotted the ball under an onrushing keeper after a flowing move.

The hat-trick followed seconds later as another ball, this time from debutant William Owens, found the big forward in the box and he nodded home with ease to make it 4-0.

The visitors were stunned and they never recovered and Belmonte capped off the evening with a quality finish into the bottom corner.