EVESHAM United ended a topsy-turvy pre-season on a winning note as they scored twice in each half to beat Midland League Premier Division outfit Westfields 4-0 at the Jubilee Stadium on Tuesday.
It was a welcome confidence-booster for United ahead of Saturday’s tough-looking Southern League Division One South & West opener at home to much-fancied Yate Town.
Winger George Washbourne had a field day down the left for Paul Collicutt’s side as he chipped in with a couple of goals and gave the Westfields defence the runaround all evening.
The visitors, who paraded four former Evesham players in their starting line-up, had a let-off early doors when Lee Smith’s goalbound shot struck United old boy Michael Tambling on the line before going behind for a fruitless corner.
Further chances fell to Nick Stanley (twice), Lance Smith and Lee Smith but were not taken, while at the opposite end Aiden Thomas broke away and forced an excellent full length save out of Kevin Sawyer.
The breakthrough, however, finally arrived on 22 minutes when the impressive Stanley netted with a trademark 25-yarder past the diving Jon Hopkins.
Skipper Matt Sysum planted a powerful header against a post before Washbourne made it 2-0 leading up to half time with a screamer that curled into the top corner beyond the helpless Hopkins.
It became 3-0 soon after the break when Washbourne got on the scoresheet for a second time, finishing off a fine move with a well placed drive low to Hopkins’ left.
More enterprising play resulted in United’s fourth and final goal on 62 minutes when the lively Lee Smith made no mistake with an accomplished finish after weaving his magic to beat several defenders inside the penalty box.
Former Evesham favourite Marcus Palmer squandered a good opportunity to pull a goal back for Westfields after Sawyer had saved well to deny Mark Burgess, but there were no further alarms for United, who went on to cruise to a deserved victory before the serious stuff starts this weekend.
After the opener against Yate, Evesham travel to face Slimbridge on Wednesday.