Match Report: Evesham United 4 vs Bishops Cleeve 2

United secured the bragging rights over neighbours Bishops Cleeve witha 4-2 victory after an entertaining encounter at the Jubilee Stadium. In front of the biggest crowd of the season, Paul Collicutt`s side were made to graft for all three points by a hardworking Cleeve side but after a dominant second half display the Robins finally over powered their dogged visitors for an impressive 8th league win in a row. United remain unbeaten at home in the Evo-Stik Southern South & West Division and move up to third in the table, eleven points adrift of runaway leaders Hereford but with one game in hand. Collicutt was forced to bring in Sam Gilder between the sticks for the unavailable Kevin Sawyer and named midfielder Louis McGrory on the substitutes bench for the first time since his loan move from Forest Green Rovers.

 

 

To their credit, midtable Cleeve looked threatening in the first half but lacked a cutting edge in the final third and paid the price for not converting some decent half chances.  Aaron Drake, James Baldwin and Jack Horrell were all wasteful early doors and then Gilder came to United`s rescue with an excellent save from Jack Watts who had got clear after escaping the clutches of the United defence. After this United began to put their game together with Nick Stanley pulling his shot just wide and Mitres Keeper Matt Weiczurek getting to a through ball just ahead of leading scorer Lance Smith. But with 33 minutes on the clock and after a decent spell of pressure, the Red and Whites broke the deadlock through Lewis Binns who curled a delightful shot beyond Weiczurek into the far corner after good work by the hard working Smith.

 

 

And that`s how the scoreline remained until Smith pounced in the 49th minute to sweep the ball over the line after Weiczurek had failed to hold onto Stanley`s powerfully driven free kick. United were now firing on all cylinders and ten minutes later increased the lead to 3-0 courtesy of McGrory`s splendid through ball that picked out Smith who then rounded several defenders before claiming his 17th goal of the season. Harlie Price raised Cleeve`s hopes by pulling a goal back on in the 73rd minute but two minutes later substitute Jake Sloggett arrowed home a superb drive from the edge of the box for 4-1. The chances kept falling United`s way with Smith somehow prodding wide from inside the six yard box and Weiczurek got a hand to touch over McGrory`s pile driver from 20 yards. But it was Steve Cleal`s side who completed the evenings entertainment with Price getting his second of the game in the last minute with a simple finish past the diving Gilder.

 

 

Referee: Mr R.Dadley (Bedworth)                  

 

Attendance: 335