EVESHAM United manager Paul West has praised his players for the way they have responded to the pressure of being title-chasers.

One win in five games looked to have been a significant setback for the Robins in their quest for the British Gas Business Division One Midlands championship.

However, they bounced back with an Easter weekend double triumph - winning 1-0 at Romulus and 3-1 at Bishop's Cleeve. Coupled with second-placed Leamington's 2-1 defeat at Stourbridge, Evesham are nine points clear at the summit although they have played a game more.

Manager West said: "Without trying to put too much pressure on the players, I felt the weekend was going to be massive in terms of where we were going to be.

"It's been a tough month for us and with Leamington breathing down our necks it's put a bit of anxiety in the camp.

"It was a positive weekend and it proved to the players what a good team they are."

Evesham can move a step closer to promotion when they host county rivals Stourport Swifts at St George's Lane on Saturday (3pm), but West is expecting a tough match.

Swifts have become a much more resilient outfit under manager Neil Hunt, putting together a run of just one defeat in ten games before crashing 4-1 to Chasetown at Walshes Meadow on Monday.

The Evesham boss, whose side won the reverse fixture 4-1 in November, said: "They are under new management and are not the same team we have played on the last three occasions.

"It's going to be a massive game for us, it's a local derby and there's a lot of personnel in there who know each other. They will certainly be out to spoil our party but we will go into the game in a positive mood."

Swifts were missing six key players against Chasetown and look set to be without at least five on Saturday.

Midfielder Will Gayton, forward Shane Gill and Mark Wolsey are all on holiday, while Richard Tomkins (ankle) and Alex Lavery (shoulder) are doubts.

Keeper Chris Jay also faces a late fitness test after pulling his groin in the warm-up on Monday and having to be replaced by teenager Chris Gray.

Swifts chairman Chris Reynolds said: "We have lost two games in 11, which is pretty good going considering Neil Hunt is reshaping the squad. We are safe now so it's looking very good."

Evesham's only injury doubt is over midfielder Danny Scheppel, who is struggling with a gashed knee.