EVESHAM United boss Paul Collicutt is urging his side to focus fully on their Boxing Day home clash with rivals Shortwood United (3pm).

The ex-Cheltenham Town player insists Evesham’s mouth-watering trip to Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West leaders Hereford on January 2 will count for little if they end the year on a low note.

Third-placed Evesham will be without Gloucester City loanee Leroy Odiero, who starts a two-match ban following his red card in the Robins’ 2-1 win at Didcot Town earlier this month.

“We are not mentioning the trip to Hereford at all – the players have got to forget about it and focus on the job in hand,” said Collicutt.

“The game against Shortwood is our last match of 2016 and hopefully we’ll get a big crowd at the Jubilee Stadium to cheer us on.

“If we don’t end the year on a good note, the Hereford game won’t mean as much and we will want to go there with a good win under our belts.”

Evesham roared to an emphatic 4-1 win at North Leigh in their last outing but Collicutt is wary of Shortwood, who are eighth in the table.

The Gloucestershire outfit have picked up 10 league wins this term, including six away triumphs.

“Shortwood have got a good record away and it’s also a big game for them because they are pushing for the play-offs,” said Collicutt. “It will be tough.”

Collicutt added: “We gave a very pleasing performance at North Leigh last weekend because they are a good side and the win made it 13 victories from 15 matches.”