Evesham Utd 4, Taunton Town 0

PRIDE was salvaged in stunning fashion as the Robins turned on a sizzling show to outclass high-flying Town.

Just five days after being unceremoniously dumped out of the FA Cup, Phil Mullen's men kept a second successive Dr Martens League clean sheet as they made it seven goals in two Western Division matches to exorcise the Hallen horror.

And they did it without the services of injured skipper Nathan Jukes, while Jay Powell was also kept on the sidelines for a third successive match.

Craig Ball, sent off in the original Hallen cup clash, was the game's star performer, while Mark Shepherd again proved his striking qualities with a sixth league goal in four matches.

Shepherd and the impressive Grant Pinkney were foiled early on by Dave Mogg before the Taunton keeper made a hash of a headed clearance after 25 minutes and the alert Shepherd profited with the opener.

It was 2-0 five minutes later when Shepherd curled a beauty past the helpless Mogg and the points were as good as secured nine minutes into the second period when Shepherd turned provider for Marc Burrow to net from close-range.

It was one-way traffic after the break and Wesley Joyce completed the scoring on 64 minutes with a superb header from Kris Sage's cross.

There should have been more but Shepherd volleyed wide and substitute keeper Paul Edwards denied Pinkney and Ball as Evesham grabbed a welcome first home win of the new season in magnificent manner.

Manager Mullen opted not to rearrange a game for Saturday, so United's next outing will be at Mangotsfield on Saturday, September 20.