United chalked up another important victory in their quest to reach the Evo-Stik Southern South & West play-offs in the Bank Holiday fixture with neighbours Bishops Cleeve. It wasn`t plain sailing for the hosts but a strong second half performance resulting in two late goals was enough to beat a spirited and hardworking Cleeve side. In front of United`s biggest league crowd of the season at the Jubilee Stadium, the Mitres defended well by getting bodies behind the ball and made it a tricky afternoon for former manager Paul Collicutt`s side, but on the balance of play it was about the right result and keeps the Robins season alive and kicking.
The Red and Whites were forced into making two changes to the side that thrashed Bridgwater two days earlier with Nathan Modest and Sean Wood coming in for the injured Lance Smith and Jake Sloggett, with the latter being named on the bench. Cleeve who named five former Evesham players on their teamsheet made the early running with Elliot Kennedy pulling his shot wide after a mistake at the back by Will Wellon, which turned out to be the visitors best chance of the first half. It wasn`t long before United created a couple of opportunities of their own, with Ashley Williams dragging his shot wide and then a Karnell Chambers header which was well held by keeper Sam Gilder beneath his crossbar. A scrappy half was concluded with Kevin Sawyer in the home goal comfortably holding Aaron Drake`s effort as the opening period finished goalless.
Dovey first goal of season
United began the second half with the wind at their backs and pressed hard to make the breakthrough but it was the visitors who blew the best chance when Jack Horrell blazed over in front of goal after good work by Jack Watts. Carl Brown who had come on for the ineffective Modest did likewise at the other end, prodding his shot wide with the goal at his mercy after neat skills by Adam Mann. United then enjoyed their best spell of the game and finally unlocked the Cleeve defence 12 minutes from time. Gilder could only punch Nick Stanley`s corner as far as Williams whose first-time drive fizzed into the roof of the net for 1-0. Cleeve were now rocking and conceded a second goal six minutes later. Substitute Sloggett paved the way for Linden Dovey to burst into the box and rifle a low drive past Gilder for his first goal of the season to the delight the home fans.
Collicutt was quick to praise his former side after the game and said: “Bishops Cleeve are an improving side who work very hard for each other. But in the end I felt we did enough to win and the boys deserve a pat on the back for picking-up two good wins and six points over the Bank Holiday. “It was a bit scrappy at times but we finished the stronger and
scored two very good goals.”
Pictures by Stuart Purfield here
EVESHAM UNITED: Sawyer, Dovey, Green, Wood (Stanley 73), Sysum, Wellon, Chambers, Williams, Mann, Modest (Brown 63), Binns (Sloggett 65).
Subs not used: Thompson, Harding
Referee: Mr M.Pearson (Dudley)
Attendance: 400
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