Gresley Rovers 1, Evesham United 3

SAM Bowen marked his United debut with a second half brace sending out an ominous warning to opposing defences in the process.

After sitting out the opening two Western Division games because of suspension, the former Worcester City striker, who has made a habit out of making scoring bows, lived up to Phil Mullen's pre-season boast that his strike force would cause defences no end of problems.

It was with Steve Taylor alongside Bowen that the Common Road chief declared his optimism but it was Dean Roberts who shared the scoring spotlight at The Moat Ground.

Gresley were also unbeaten but they had no answer to United's pace and movement and were lucky to escape with just a two-goal margin of defeat.

Skipper Taylor occupied a midfield berth, with midweek absentees Joe Licata and James Brown on the bench alongside newcomer Russell Parmenter.

Bowen twice went close before Evesham took a 24th minute lead. Taylor showed neat skills before sending Roberts racing in on goal with an inch perfect pass and the striker drilled a low shot past Ian Wright in the home goal.

It needed a goalline clearance from Darren Rogers to maintain the interval advantage but it took just 60 seconds for United to double their lead as Roberts touched on a pass to Bowen and the bustling front man brilliantly lobbed Wright from 12 yards.

Matt Boyles made it 2-1 eight minutes later with a close-range header but Evesham continued to dominate and Roberts and Preedy both went close to regaining a two-goal cushion.

The all important third goal arrived with 1l minutes remaining and killed off the spirited hosts.

Taylor helped on a free kick from Rogers and Bowen rounded Wright before walking the ball into the empty net.

Visiting keeper Damien Beattie, who was involved in a car crash on his way to the game, showed his talent with a great reflex stop to push aside a powerful header from the Rovers scorer.

Beattie wasn't the only to suffer on the road. Chairman Jim Cockerton drove to the wrong ground before Rocester officials informed him of his embarrassing mistake!

The club's youth team are in action tonight when Worcester City are the visitors to Common Road for a first qualifying round FA Youth Cup tie.

Next Wednesday, the youngsters entertain Malvern Town in the Southern Division of the Midland Floodlit League. Both games kick off at 7.30pm.

Shaun Carter, and not Danny Hodgkins, scored the winner in last week's 1-0 defeat of Southam United.