Evesham United 0, Team Bath 1

PROMOTED Evesham are still searching for their first win in the Southern League Premier Division after a below-par display saw them narrowly lose against a Team Bath side who themselves tasted victory for the first time.

To add to boss Dave Busst's worries, striker Jermaine Clarke, who has made a promising start to the season, was injured in a heavy first half challenge with centre back Nick Hudson and had to be substituted.

Though Richard Ball was a more than able replacement and showed some promising touches, Busst will be hoping the injury to his big front man is only superficial.

In a scrappy game, United may take some comfort from the fact that they were far from outclassed and on the rare occasions when they played the ball on the ground, looked perfectly capable of troubling the visitors' defence.

Equally, Bath rarely threatened Darren Knurek's goal and the winner came when a long throw was allowed to bounce all the way across the six-yard box for Joe Long to hammer home at the far post on 40 minutes.

Knurek was replacing the experienced Tim Clarke who, for the second time in four days, missed the match because of traffic congestion, this time caused by a crash on the M5.

Knurek was called into action midway through the half when Bath had just about their only other serious chance. Giant striker Tomas Jaukovic found himself clear right in front of goal and although his thunderbolt volley was straight at the 'keeper, the 18-year-old did well to hang on to it.

After the break neither 'keeper was seriously tested as the students seemed happy to sit on their lead.

A spirited spell midway through gave Evesham hope but Richard Robinson headed wide when well placed and then with the game drawing to the close a Matt Hall volley sailed just over with Darren Chitty beaten.

On Saturday United entertain Salisbury City (3pm), who have four points from two games, at Common Road. Match sponsor is T&P Davies of Broadway Road, Evesham, and the match ball sponsor Willersey Provisions of Collin Lane, Willersey.

Next Tuesday United travel to Rugby Town, kick-off 7.45pm.

Next Wednesday the youth team visit Wellington in the Midland Floodlit Youth League southern division, kick-off 7.30pm.