Traditional slow starters Evesham threw away a two-goal lead against Didcot Town in the Evo-Stik Southern South & West Division on Tuesday night. United comfortably led two-nil at half-time and looked to be cruising to victory. However, the Railwaymen who were trounced 5-1 by Swindon Supermarine on the opening day, hit back with two second half goals and only some desperate defending enabled Paul Collicutt`s side to collect their first point of the season. It turned out to be a frustrating evening for the home faithful and it could have been worse but thankfully Joe Turley came to United`s rescue with a goal line clearance in stoppage-time to prevent the visitors from snatching all three points. Popular goalkeeper Kevin Sawyer was another name to be added to the long list of absentees and his place was taken by Sam Gilder who came in for his league debut.
United were straight on the attack as Lance Smith`s downward header bounced over the crossbar but after 16 minutes the Robins deservedly got their noses in front. Didcot player/manager Andy Ballard pulled back Smith and from Elliot Kennedy`s resulting free kick, Nick Stanley directed a well placed header past Leigh Bedwell for 1-0. Bedwell was kept busy making saves from Kennedy, Smith and Paul Fahy before he was beaten again in the 43rd minute. The Didcot stopper failed to gather Lorcan Sheehan`s cross and despite the attention of several defenders Smith was able to sweep home the loose ball for a 2-0 interval lead.
Stanley opened scoring
At the resumption United continued to pile men forward and Bedwell did well to push Kennedy`s drive around a post with Ashley Williams and Smith both glancing headers just wide. But on 57 minutes the visitors were handed a lifeline through Ben Whitehead who scored from the penalty spot after Ross Adams had clipped the heels of George Reid in the box. Suddenly the complexion of the contest changed with United losing their shape and Didcot sensing they could get something out of the game. Eighteen minutes from time and with the United defence all at sea, Sam Barder netted with a fierce drive past Gilder to make it 2-2 after good work by Ryan Brooks. Didcot were then denied a perfectly good looking goal when Gilder punched the ball into his own net but fortunately an attacker was surprisingly ruled offside. The closing stages were panic stations at the back for United, Turley cleared off the line and then Declan Benjamin directed his close-range shot into the arms of Gilder enabling the Red and Whites to hang on for a draw.
UNITED:
Gilder, Sheehan, Stanley (B.Williams 79), Turley, Adams, Wellon, Kennedy (Pearson 71), A.Williams, Smith, Fahy, Binns.
Subs not used: Bryan, Brown, Dovey
Referee: Mr B.Hall
Attendance: 240
