Evesham completed their Evo-Stik Southern South & West Division fixtures and head into a play-off semi-final at Salisbury on a positive note after a dominant 4-2 victory over AFC Totton at the Testwood Stadium. United were 3-0 ahead at the break and cruising to victory but then two late strikes lifted the home side before Paul Fahy made the points safe for the Robins with a fourth goal in stoppage-time.
Magee struck twice
Boss Paul Collicutt made wholesale changes in preparation for Wednesday`s trip to the Ray McEnhill Stadium with a number of players rested and given the afternoon off. The first-half was a one-sided affair with United camped in the Totton half and dominating possession. But despite a barrage of shots and corners it took until the 11th minute before the deadlock was broken with Dave Allen handling in the box and Mark Magee coolly putting away the resulting penalty. Matt Williams, Leroy Odiero, Lewis Binns and Carl Brown all went close before Magee turned cleverly in the box on 33 minutes to fire past Pat O`Flaherty for 2-0. Five minutes before half-time Brown added a third with a sumptuous 20-yarder that gave O`Flaherty no chance before nestling into the bottom corner.
Sam Gilder who started in place of ever-present Kevin Sawyer between the sticks was called upon to make his first save on the hour diving full length to push aside Nathaniel Sherborne`s header. O`Flaherty made two good stops from Brown and Fahy but then two goals in seven minutes gave the Stags fresh hope. Sherborne converted from the penalty spot after Nick Stanley`s handball in the area and Curtis Young fired home with three minutes to go. A shock Totton equaliser never arrived with Fahy slotting in beyond O`Flaherty in added time to make it 4-2 after great work by Adam Mann.
Collicutt commented after the game, “We were excellent in the opening 45 minutes but with seven changes to the starting line-up that faced Hereford we had one or two tired legs in the second-half with a good number not having 90 minutes for a while. “It was important to get the game done and dusted without picking-up anymore injuries but unfortunately Gary Preen came off with a thigh strain to add to our long list of casualties. “We go to Salisbury in the play-offs and we are all looking forward to it. We will go as underdogs but that suits us down to the ground because I know the lads are determined to do it for all the guys who won`t be
wearing the shirt after having their season cut short through injury. “Salisbury have a good pitch that will suit us and they`re enjoying a good run of results. They will have a big crowd and we can`t wait to get the game on.”
UNITED:
Gilder, M.Williams, Stanley, Wood (Haskayne 63), Odiero, Sheehan, Preen (Fahy 34), Brown, Edenborough (Mann 70), Magee, Binns.
Subs not used: Sawyer, A. Williams
Referee: Mr R.Wainwright (Hampshire)
Attendance: 320
