This game took the same feel that will probably remain for The Robins final six games of the season. It almost had a cup final feel and atmosphere to it. With the top of The Evo-Stik South, West Division being so tight, it was very important that Evesham gave the game everything they had against Bideford who were also chasing one of the four play-off places.
It was the visitors who started the better of the two sides with a couple of opportunities in the first six minutes. The first shot from Bideford’s Sean Downing went over the bar, the second following a moment of defensive confusion which allowed Ben Seymour to get his shot away, however it was flicked over by Evesham’s ever ready keeper Kevin Sawyer at his near post.
As the first half went on it was the visitors that were on top but, they were unable to create any more clear chances. The 245-strong crowd had to wait until the 20-minute mark for the home side to muster their first attack, a free kick was headed back across the goal by Matt Liddiard which Evesham defender Andy Lewis managed to get on the end of, sadly his shot went over the bar from just six yards.
Evesham, despite a slow start were now well and truly in the game and went close when Will Wellon headed over the bar from an impressive corner kick by Garyn Preen. Just two minutes later Adam Mann latched on to a ball that Bideford’s James Mayne failed to control, his shot went wide of the advancing keeper and found it’s way into the back of the net, much to the delight of the home supporters. The lead was doubled just three minutes later when Preen was able to drill in a low cross, the ball came off the visitors James Mayne straight into his own net.
Mann scores brace
Having gone into half time with a 2-0 lead Evesham started the second half by far the brighter of the two sides with far more purpose in their play. They were rewarded in the 54th minute when an almighty kick from the hands of the Evesham keeper Sawyer was chased down by Carl Brown, his first time cross was met by an outstretched foot by Mann, giving him his second goal of the game & Evesham’s third.
Passages of good possession and some great passing football was enjoyed by a very noisy home crowd who cheered a tireless performance from Carl Brown, solid defending from Liddiard & Lewis at the heart of Evesham’s defence. The visitors had the ball in the back of the net on 78 minutes by Downing but, it was ruled out for being offside.
With Evesham introducing Ebbutt, Mehew & Dunbar as the game moved on, the visitors found themselves chasing the ball for long periods. The three youngsters certainly played their part in what was a controlled performance by a confident Robins side, despite a shaky start.
Pictures by Stuart Purfield here
Evesham Utd: Sawyer, Hancock, Wellon, Turley (Ebbutt 63), Lewis, Liddiard, Brown, A Williams, Powell (Dunbar 82), Mann, Preen (Mehew 72). Subs not used: Harris
Attendance: 245
