Evesham Utd 2, Hitchin Town 0

EVESHAM scored twice in the opening 15 minutes to give them a solid platform at St George's Lane.

Troy Wood finished from close-range after seven minutes when Mark Hands headed Simon Fitter's corner goalwards.

Hands made it 2-0 eight minutes later when he glanced in Michael Hayden's cross and the midfielder was within inches of a second after 31 minutes when his shot struck a post after good work from Wood and strike partner Joe Clarke.

The latter then saw a goalbound volley deflected over the crossbar as the Robins sought a third goal to kill off the match.

Nathan Vaughan was rarely troubled in a largely one-sided first half, fielding a free-kick watching a volley from Matt Barnes fly over the top and then catching a header from the Town striker underneath his own crossbar.

Evesham skipper Danny Hodnett was walking a tightrope after being booked after 24 minutes after a second talking to and then committing three more niggly fouls as the half drew to a close.