Red-hot Evesham blew away the challenge of mid-table Bridgwater Town to book a play-off semi-final in the Evo-Stik South & West Division with Larkhall Athletic at the Jubilee Stadium on Tuesday night.
United needed to better Startford`s result at champions Merthyr Town to guarantee home games in the play-offs
and they did just that with considerable ease thanks to a blistering first half display that saw the Robins hold a commanding 4-0 lead at half-time. With a play-off place already in the bag, United manager Paul Collicutt rested a number of key players and handed a league debut to 19-year-old reserve team goalkeeper Josh Goddard.
Despite the atrocious condition of the pitch, Evesham looked a class act from the start and it was no surprise when Nick Stanley fired United ahead on 14 minutes with a superbly struck free-kick after Adam Mann had been brought down on the edge of the box. It became 2-0 ten minutes later, when skipper Matt Sysum sent a terrific header from Mann`s deep cross into the top corner with Town keeper Ben John nowhere to be seen. The United pressure was relentless and with the Bridgwater defence all at sea, Lance Smith made it 3-0 in the 36th minute touching in Marcus Jackson`s shot from close range past the helpless John. The home stopper made fine saves from Mann and Stanley but was beaten for a fourth time just before the break when the impressive Lee Smith drove into the bottom corner after a sweeping move involving Mann and Jackson down the right.
With the three points already on their way back to Worcestershire and with Tuesday`s important semi-final in mind,
Collicutt made changes early in the second half and Kyle Tooze pulled one back for the hosts scuffing in a shot soon after the re-start. But it was Lee Smith that found the net again for 5-1 beating the advancing John with another expert finish after racing clear of the flagging Bridgwater defence. Mann should have made it 6-1 soon after but ballooned his shot high over the crossbar after being set-up by the silky skills of substitute George Washbourne.
Two late goals by Craig Allan and Tom Knighton flattered the final scoreline in a game the Red and Whites dominated from start to finish and United go into Tuesday`s play-offtie with an impressive ten straight victories under their belts.
EVESHAM UNITED:
Goddard, Jackson, Wellon (Slack 71), Harding, Sysum (Knowles 49), Dovey, Wilson, Stanley, Lance Smith (Washbourne 57), Mann, Lee Smith.
SUBS NOT USED: Edenborough and Sawyer
REFEREE: Mr B.Cobb (Bournemouth)
ATTENDANCE: 206
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