Match report from Bristol Manor Farm website written by Jack Davies
Two moments of magic, and some stoic defending, earned Bristol Manor Farm their third win in a row as they beat Evesham 2-1 at the Creek.
The visitors started brightly against the in-form Farmers, and did have the ball in the net within the first 10 minutes; Brandon Smalley cut inside and fired home, but the assistant’s flag denied him the opener.
That escape did wake Farm up as they began to take control. Shea Mannings was making his first start for the club, and the lively striker broke away down the right but his low cross was just behind Dean Stamp.
The illustrious Mike Bryant played a key role in the Farm’s midfield engine on Saturday afternoon, as he came close to scoring in quick succession inside the opening 20 minutes. First, he earned himself a yard before testing visiting keeper Lewis Clayton, and then freed himself from Goslings free-kick but could only head wide.
Ben John was then called into action on the 20 minute mark, saving sharply from a Michael Symons effort.
Dean Stamp was also making his first start after a substitute brace last week and he made in three in two after 25 minutes. Mannings showing pace and power down the left before he cut it back to Stamp who thumped his left footed effort home from fully 20 yards.
Mannings’ fine first-half showing continued just minutes after, he beat two men down the flank and cut back to Stamp, he saw an effort blocked before Jayden Neilsen fired wide at the near post.
Farm were certainly looking more likely to get the next goal as the first-half came towards the end. Mannings again causing havoc and his clever cut back found Gosling inside the box, a brilliant Adam Mace block denying the Gibraltan a second for Farm.
The hosts would have the ball in the net right on the whistle, Bryant poked home at close range and despite the previous touch seeming to come off an Evesham defender, the flag halted the celebrations.
Half-time substitute Toumani Sidibe almost had the desired effect for the visitors early in the second-half. He drove inside from the left and despite his effort taking a deflection, Ben John saved smartly.
The pressure continued as Evesham pushed Farm back on the hour mark. Symons almost found a gap in the Farm penalty area, but the ball was headed away superbly at the back post by the retreating Nielsen.
The game was settled with 10 minutes to play after another spectacular goal. Bryant again recycling from a second ball and he found Neilson. The wide man set himself just inside the box before picking out the very top corner via the crossbar.
Farm weren’t allowed to get comfortable for long however. Josh Ford and Steve Kingdon had headed almost everything away before Evesham made some late pressure count. Kyle Belmonte’s effort took a wicked deflection before looping past John to half the deficit for the visitors.
Farm defended heroically from successive corners, Ford and Kingdon hacking away at loose balls bouncing before a superb Llewelyn challenge stopped Symons advancing into the box.
In added time, Evesham scorer Belmonte would be the first man in the dressing room. The winger hacking wildly at Bryant in the corner before being shown a red card.
Attendance: 267
Clayton, Keightley (Horrell), Mace (Djurovic), Armitage, Paddock, Sheehan, Belmonte, Smalley, Symons, Gray (Sidibe), Lymn
Subs not used: Prictor, Bayeke
