Evesham Utd 1, Solihull Boro 0

ASSISTED twice, won twice! An enviable record in 2003 for Journal Series sports editor Mervyn Collins when it comes to deputising for limping linesmen.

The Robins, though, didn't need any inside help! Manager Phil Mullen had gone back to old club Kidderminster Harriers to sign Sean Flynn and to Forest Green Rovers from where he plucked young winger Daniel Allen.

Both debutants impressed with the experienced Flynn banging in the winner from fully 30 yards with 20 minutes left on the watch.

Mullen will have been delighted with his brace of new boys, while also happy that Shaun Pratt and Linton Bailey followed up sound midweek displays with a second committed effort in front of Saturday's home fans.

Solidity at the back

The return of Jay Powell at left back gave added solidity at the back where Marc Burrow had recovered sufficiently from a knock at Cirencester to line up alongside Bailey.

That left a bench including Nathan Jukes, Wes Joyce and Steve Lutz - not bad for a side struggling for players just a couple of weeks ago!

Tim Clarke, apparently struggling with a recurrence of a previous injury, had a couple of early alarms but the keeper didn't have a serious save to make during the entire 90 minutes although former Common Roader Paul Hunter saw a late header flash narrowly wide.

Allen forced an early save from a curling free-kick and excellent play from Inderpaul Khela and Grant Pinkney saw the former foiled at the near post by the Solihull keeper.

United were making most of the running but again the final pass went astray but a goalless opening half prompted home hopes of a goal in the second 45 minutes.

There was a ten-minute delay after the change of official and the arrival of the new flagger coincided with Evesham's best spell of the match although that elusive goal still wasn't coming.

When it finally arrived, Flynn's quick thinking after picking up a clearance surprised everybody as the midfielder's astute shot from distance brought deserved home reward.

As so often happens, the team taking the lead sat back and Boro proved more of a threat to leave the hosts to play out a nervy final few minutes before there was relief all round - especially for yours truly!!!