Evesham hit back from going a goal down to clinch a well earned 3-1 victory against in-form Winchester City at a breezy Jubilee Stadium on Wednesday night. Winchester arrived with seven victories from their last eight Evo-Stik Southern South & West games but were soundly beaten by the Robins` who after two league victories inside a week remain in 3rd spot and three points behind second placed Tiverton Town. Hot-shot Craig Feeney fired the Citizens into a 27th minute lead with his 28th goal in all competitions but second-half goals by Lance Smith, Liam Harding and Adam Mann ensured United their 9th home win of the campaign and bring to an end Winchester`s impressive run of results.
The start was delayed by five minutes due to the visitor`s late arrival and it was United who began on the attack with Smith and Lewis Binns both testing City keeper Lewis Noice early doors and Nick Stanley sending a drive just over.
Kevin Sawyer then made a brave block to keep out the dangerous Feeney but against the run of play United fell behind on 27 minutes. Sawyer made a superb save low down to his right from Howard Neighbour but the ball fell kindly to Feeney who had the simple task of heading home from six yards. United responded immediately with top marksman Smith sending a well timed header inches over following good work by Garyn Preen down the right.
United went on to finish the half on the attack, Noice gathered at the second attempt from Stanley and Mann`s glancing header brushed the far post after more neat skills by the speedy Preen.
Smith opened scoring
The second-half was only two minutes old when Smith danced clear down the left and from a tight angle shot beyond Norris into the far corner with his 24th League and Cup goal this season. Youngster Archie Haskayne who made an a favourable impression in his first start for the Red and Whites, went near after a surging run down the middle but with 66 minutes on the clock United deservedly took a 2-1 lead. Stanley`s free-kick was only cleared as far as Harding on the edge of the box and the central defender cleverly found the target with a measured finish into the roof of the net. United were now in full control and went on to complete the scoring 17 minutes from time. Substitute Paul Fahy made a bursting run on the right and found Mann who took the ball in hisstride before giving Noice no chance with a wonderful strike from 20 yards. With the three points in the bag, United continued to press looking for more goals and replacement Mark Magee almost got a fourth before the end but Noice got down quickly to save at his near post.
Photos by Stuart Purfield
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UNITED:
Sawyer, Dovey, Stanley, Haskayne, Harding, Williams, Preen (Fahy 64), Bryan (Sheehan 71), Smith (Magee 76), Mann, Binns.
Subs not used: Odiero, Kennedy
Referee: Mr T.Reeves (Coventry)
Attendance: 216
