BOSS Neil Hunt explains Evesham United's decision to call of trip to Mangotsfield.

MANAGER Neil Hunt explained Evesham United's decision to postpone Tuesday's trip to Mangotsfield United amid Covid concerns had been taken as a precaution.

Only two players are known to be affected with one, striker Jamie Lucas, already testing negative during a spell in isolation.

Lorcan Sheehan is the second and having played a part in Saturday's 3-2 win over Leek Town in the FA Trophy, the decision was made to play it safe.

"Jamie's test has come back negative but he still has to isolate after being around a family member with Covid. Then Lorcan got sent home from work and needs to be tested," said Hunt.

"The Southern League has told clubs they don't need to play this week under the circumstances, we wanted to but if Lorcs does have it, having been around us all on Saturday, travelling down for a game is probably not the right thing to do.

"We are going into lockdown for a month anyway so the best thing was to call it off."

A hat-trick from Harry Franklin, pictured, sealed Evesham's progress to a first round proper tie at home to Southern League South rivals Bideford. In line with new restrictions, a date has yet to be arranged.

It represents a solid start for United with two wins, two draws and two defeats in the league alongside progress in lucrative national cups, the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

"Coming in new, it was important for us to establish our own identity," said summer appointment and former youth-team boss Hunt.

"We now have three local lads playing for Evesham which is something that hasn't happened for 15-20 years, that's fantastic for the area and the community.

"We have a lot of younger players so everything considered, it has been a good start apart from the opening game when we got beaten up by Sholing.

"If we were to win our couple of games in hand we would be in the top seven or eight which is where we want to be but for me it is more important to stabilise the club and know which direction it wants to go in.

"By having three Evesham lads play for us and to see the youth and under-21 sides developing as they are, it is good to see the infrastructure of the club heading in the right direction."