Mangotsfield 5, Evesham Utd 0

THERE was a real sense of inevitability about this midweek mauling and how right those thoughts turned out to be.

Having conceded three to the Western Division's bottom side last Saturday, Tuesday's hosts - the section's top scorers - were likely to cause havoc in a far from convincing Evesham back line.

There were no excuses, Only the suspended Wesley Joyce was absent, while Phil Mullen welcomed back Neil Illman, Nathan Jukes and Mark Wolsey.

"As a unit the defence was as good as we have got but we have struggled as a team all season away from home," the Common Road chief admitted.

The writing was on the wall as early as the fourth minute when Inderpaul Khela cleared off the line but Ellis Wilmot wasn't so unlucky when his eight minute cross floated over a static Chris Taylor.

Illman brought Paul Thompson into action but the points were as good as gone with just a quarter of an hour on the watch when the unmarked Adam Sims tapped in Dean Pendry's cross.

The home side's attacking speed was frightening and Sims broke clear 11 minutes before the break to slip the ball under the advancing Taylor.

Thompson tipped a Jukes 25-yarder past a post, while the lively Illman had an effort on the stroke of half-time wiped out for offside.

Evesham battled on gamely after the interval and, if Illman had scored from close-range instead of blasting over minutes after the restart, the visitors could have been given a lifeline.

Pendry was again the provider on the hour when David Seal made it 4-0 and another assist from the flank man allowed Sims to roll the fifth into an empty net in the final minute.

Thompson had earlier produced another fine save to deny Illman a consolation on a night.

"We were well beaten by an excellent side," Mullen conceded. "It's a right kick in the teeth and we have got to pull ourselves round and restore some pride on Saturday."

There was more bad news for Mullen after the game when goalkeeper Taylor informed him that was taking a week's holiday and would be missing for Saturday's home game with Bedworth.

That could mean a first league start for Craig Ladek although Mullen will be assessing the fitness of Darren Steadman before making a decision.

"I would have no problem in playing Craig," Mullen declared. "If every player at the club was as committed as him then we would win the league hands down."

Joyce's return should stiffen up the Robins' rearguard, while the attack should be pepped up by the return of Paul Hunter, who has agreed to return to the club on a permanent basis.

Former skipper Darren Bullock is likely to renew acquaintances with his old colleagues at Bromsgrove on March 15 after signing for the league leaders in time to make a debut at Atherstone last Saturday.

Bullock was originally set to join Malvern Town as player/coach but Rovers' boss Jon Ford nipped in a the last minute to acquire the services of the temperamental midfielder.

Bullock wasn't registered in time to face Kidderminster in the Worce-stershire Senior Cup on Monday but his absence didn't prevent Bronsgrove causing a huge upset with a 2-1 win against a Harriers side containing nine players with first team experience.

Saturday's game is being sponsored by Netherlands Bacon Import, Park Road, Sittingbourne. The ball sponsor is Evesham Technology, Vale Park.

United's scheduled Dr Martens League visit to Gloucester on Saturday, February 1 has been put back to Tuesday, March 18 due to City being in FA Trophy action.