JOINT manager Lee Hughes insists “mistakes have got to go” as Worcester City visit Evesham United in the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup semi-finals tonight (7.45pm).

After losing their opening two games of pre-season City have responded with back-to-back wins, thrashing Pershore Town 7-0 last Saturday and Worcester Raiders 4-0 on Monday.

But Hughes admits their recent performances have not been faultless and says they will need to eradicate errors if they are to beat Evesham at the Jubilee Stadium.

“You are always expecting mistakes in the first few games because they are lacking match sharpness,” he said.

“But this is where it matters now and the mistakes have got to go.

“This is the time in pre-season where we want everything done right with everyone getting on the ball and making the right decisions at the right time.”

The winner will play either Redditch United or Kidderminster Harriers, who played last night, in the final on Saturday.

Midfielder Matt Birley, keeper Matt Gwynne, defender Shab Khan and full-back Aaron Griffiths are all likely to return for City after being rested for the Raiders clash.

Veteran striker Hughes says he could also play at Evesham after suffering with a tight groin.

“You can see the players are getting more match fit and ready for the start of the season,” he added.

“Pre-season has been about improving fitness but I want to win every game. It’s about having that winning mentality and that’s getting through to the players now so we are going to Evesham to win the game.

“The lads are confident but they have still got to get the basics right, work hard, get into their shape and get the goals.

“I had a tight groin on Monday but if it settles down I will come back into the squad.

“But we can only have 18 players (in the cup) and use three substitutes so there will be a lot of players having 90 minutes. It will be a different test.”

Evesham United lost 3-0 to Football League side Cheltenham Town 3-0 at home on Monday.

Paul Collicutt’s Robins will be expected to challenge for promotion in Southern League Division One South and West after reaching the play-offs last season.

Evesham held new tenants Gloucester City 1-1 in pre-season and went down 3-1 to Tamworth.