Joey Smith: First start & scores brace
Evesham United made it back to back wins in the Calor League Division One South & West Division for the first time this season against Cinderford Town at the Causeway Ground. Brothers Joey and Lance Smith shared the goals that ensured United gained revenge for a 3-0 defeat against the Foresters earlier in the season.
Manager Paul Collicutt returned to the Evesham dugout for the first time since his recent illness and witnessed a dour first-half with the only bright spot being United`s opening goal after 39 minutes. Marcus Palmer split the home defence that released Joey Smith and the former Badsey Rangers midfielder making his first start for the Robins, confidently slotted in past keeper Alex Harris. Louie Barnfather preserved United`s lead approaching the interval by making a fine save when George Lloyd looked certain to equalise for the hosts.
Evesham, however, boosted their chances of a second successive victory by adding a second goal four minutes after half-time. Skipper Richard Mansell shot against a post and the ball fell kindly to Lance Smith who calmly buried his 12th goal of the campaign beyond the diving Harris. Cinderford rarely threatened with the young centre-back pairing of Jamie Sauntson and Luke Hitchman outstanding at the heart of the United defence. It was no surprise when the hardworking Joey Smith bagged his second goal and Evesham`s third on 68 minutes, rising at the back post to powerfully head home Carl Brown`s pin-point corner.
Cinderford then enjoyed a ten-minute purple patch with Dale Evans and Dave Bird both threatening and Barnfather diving bravely to save at the feet of Evans and then substitute Sam Hunt. The pressure paid off when former Evesham player Hunt pulled a goal back for the Forest of Dean side with nine minutes to go. But it was United who finished the stronger with the impressive Marcus Jackson, Palmer and Linden Dovey returning from injury, all going close to getting on the scoresheet before the end.
EVESHAM UNITED: Barnfather, Tambling, Wellon, J.Smith, Hitchman, Sauntson, Jackson, Brown (Davis 73), L.Smith (Dovey 69), Palmer (Holloway 82), Mansell.
SUB NOT USED: Wilson
REFEREE: Mr S.Jack (Carterton)
ATTENDANCE: 122
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