BOSS Paul Collicutt praised Evesham United for putting to the sword Slimbridge 3-0 last night – 24 hours after a timely reminder of how mishaps can occur.

Collicutt watched bottom-of-the-table Bishop’s Cleeve trump United’s play-off rivals Winchester City on Tuesday but suffered no such problems at the Jubilee Stadium.

Carl Brown's crossed effort sailed in after 24 minutes with Adam Mann doubling the lead with a free-kick less than a minute after half-time.

The game was up for the visitors when Jordan Bryan was fouled in the box and Mat Liddiard stepped up to slot away the penalty.

“After the disappointment of the weekend we managed to get back on the right side of things with a winning performance,” said Collicutt.

“The temperature dropped and the pitch was getting harder as we went along so I was pleased with the way the lads handled everything.

“I had been to watch Winchester at Bishop’s Cleeve the night before. Cleeve worked very hard and we knew Slimbridge would do exactly the same and that we had to be one our toes.

“We created a number of chances in the first half and came in 1-0 up before knocking in another couple after the break. All round it was a good display which sets us up nicely for Saturday.”

Evesham: Sawyer, Dovey, Wellon, Hancock, Lewis (Williams, 64), Liddiard, Bryan, Haskayne, Brown (Dunbar, 71), Mann (Fahy, 76), Bennett. Unused sub: Turley.

Attendance: 180.