Evesham showed they are now true play-off hopefuls by ending Merthyr Town’s unbeaten home run in the Evo-Stik Southern South & West Division thanks to Nick Stanley’s superb strike ten minutes from time at the Cigg-e Stadium on Tuesday night.
The midfielder gained possession just outside the Merthyr penalty area before unleashing an unstoppable drive past Tom Bradley to extend United’s unbeaten run to five games and lift Paul Collicutt’s side up to eighth in the table.
Thanks to the first-half heroics of goalkeeper, Kevin Sawyer, United kept their fourth clean sheet in a row and the impressive Sawyer has now conceded just one league goal in 450 minutes of football.
Sawyer: One goal conceded in five games
With the wind and driving rain behind them, league leaders Merthyr had their best chances to win the game in the first half but found Sawyer in top form. The experienced keeper who has impressed for the Robins all season, was forced into action early on making confident saves from Gavin Williams’ well struck free-kick and then Ryan Prossers’ cushioned header.
But the best from Sawyer was still to come. From another Williams’ free-kick Jarrad Wright’s deflected header looked all over a goal until Sawyer superbly touched the ball over the crossbar and then Prosser was denied when Sawyer bent backwards to keep out the striker’s shot that looked destined to find the back of the net.
The first-half, however, wasn’t all Merthyr, United looked dangerous on the break, Adam Mann just failed to get a touch from George Washbourne’s cross that spurned across the face of an open goal, while Bradley got down well at his near post to prevent Ashley Edenborough after good work by the tricky Washbourne down the flanks.
With the elements in their favour, Evesham took the game to the hosts in the second-half and were unlucky not to take the lead when Washbourne’s free-kick beat Bradley and crashed against the woodwork before going over. Substitute Lance Smith who looked lively after coming on for Edenborough, injected more life in the United frontline and set-up youngster Liam Harding who shot narrowly over.
With United pushing forward in numbers, gaps began to appear in the Martyr’s defence and Stanley took full advantage on 80 minutes with a well executed drive for the winner that gave Bradley no chance.
Despite six minutes of stoppage-time and a flurry of Merthyr corners, United comfortably held on to cause one of the biggest upsets so far in the South & West Division.
EVESHAM UNITED: Sawyer, Wood, Wellon, Harding, Sysum, Dovey, Jackson (Brown 29), Stanley, Edenborough (L.Smith 65), Mann (Drake 89), Washbourne
Sub not used: Binns
Attendance: 305
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