THREE players axed and two players sent out to get match action elsewhere that was Dave Busst's reaction to Evesham United's recent poor spell of form.

Grant Pinkney, Steven Hands and Marc Burrow were missing from Saturday's starting 11 at Mangots-field, while Ravi Sangha and Aaron Farrell were farmed out to other clubs.

"Some of them needed a kick up the backside," said the Evesham United chief. "I've got to keep to the budget and I'm working with a big squad at present so I needed to make some changes."

Busst is likely to be adding to his pool with the news that Dave Adey will be out for around two months after being carried off last weekend.

Tim Clarke was due to deputise at Solihull last night and the veteran custodian, who has also suffered his fair share of injuries this term, should be between the sticks at home to Burnham on Saturday.

"Tim called me at 10.30 on Saturday and told me that he was playing for Oldbury and there wasn't time to get someone else in to cover on the bench." Busst revealed.

The Common Road boss, who is hoping to bring in a new goalkeeper on a permanent basis, added that Karl Lewis, temporarily helping out at Rac-ing Club Warwick, will be involved on Saturday.

One player who won't be is Leon Blake, who starts a three-match ban but Busst is confident that Neil O'Sullivan, who limped off last weekend, will overcome a dead leg.

Busst felt that his side deserved at least a point at the table toppers but, admitted for the first time, that the lack of goals is becoming a real worry.

"You've got to find the net in those sort of matches," the manager said. "When you are creating the number of chances that we were before Christmas then you're bound to get a goal or two. When chances are scarce, you've got to ensure that you take the ones that come your way."

A solitary strike from top scorer Jermaine Clarke, who also took a knock at Mangots-field, was sufficient to overcome Saturday's opponents in the earlier meeting between the sides and a repeat scoreline will no doubt satisfy all concerned with the Evesham United, in the light of recent results and performances.

Saturday's match is being sponsored by P J Nicholls, Station Road, Pinvin and the ball by the Ivy Inn, North Littleton.

Southern League Division One West (top)

P W D L F A Pts

Mangotsfield 26 15 5 6 55 35 50

Clevedon 25 15 1 9 53 31 46

Evesham 26 13 7 6 39 22 46

Yate Town 23 13 4 6 47 23 43

Bromsgrove 23 12 7 4 38 23 43

Rothwell 24 12 6 6 37 27 42