NEW boss Phil Evans has thrown down the gauntlet to Woofferton to prove they belong among the county’s elite after Saturday’s 8-0 whitewash of Holme Lacy reserves.

Despite fielding a team missing a handful of familiar faces, the Haynall Lane outfit made light work of their opponents to fire an early signal of their promotion credentials.

Summer signing Richard Wozencroft produced a man-of-the-match display and netted twice while Marian Jusko, in for suspended hitman Luke Pugh, plundered a hat-trick.

Strike-partner Dan Gower netted the goal of the game with a deft lob after incisive work from James Robertson and midfielder Dan Bradley. Tom Ballard and Dan Bradley were also on the score sheet.

And with a healthy competition for places, Evans reckons there is still plenty to come as his boys seek to challenge for a place at Herefordshire’s top table next season.

“They are improving. There is still a lot to do yet but we are getting there,” said Evans.

“I could see the improvement in key areas on the back of our training this summer and the attitude of the players was spot on. I couldn’t fault them, they did everything we asked of them.

“We have signed one or two new lads who might be on the fringes but they showed their capability and having a squad will be important because we want to be in that Premier Division next season.

“The quality is there so all we can do is knuckle down, make sure we perform as well as we can and hopefully, achieve our target.”

The flying start has given Evans a selection headache with Chris Breakwell, Jack Pound and Dean Harding back for Saturday’s trip to Hereford City (2.30pm).

“We have three senior players coming back from holiday or work commitments so we will be pretty much at full strength,” he added.

“That said, they all know they have got to fight for their place now. The performance on Saturday was that good.

“I am tempted to name the same side, you have to be. I was so pleased with the way the lads approached the game. Their commitment was excellent.

“It is always touch and go when you have people like Marian because of his work. He is a chef so he can make home games but may struggle with some of the away days.

“It is a shame but that happens at this level. There might be a change in his circumstances which will allow him to play all the time but we need to just wait and see on that.”