Evesham displayed their battling qualities to come back from 2-0 down and draw with high-flying Banbury United in the Evo-Stik Southern South & West Division on Boxing Day. United looked dead and buried with just seventeen minutes remaining but staged a grandstand finish to snatch an unlikely point thanks to late goals by substitute Jared Wilson and Lance Smith. Earlier Callum White and giant striker Ricky Johnson had given Banbury a deserved lead early in the second half and the Puritans looked odds-on to be heading for their 4th away win of the season. Paul Collicutt had other ideas by making a tactical switch and introducing all three substitutes in quick succession, which had the desired effect and leaves the Red and Whites going into the New Year with an impressive record of just one defeat in the last ten games.
A strong wind blowing straight down the pitch made life difficult for both teams and it was United who had the gale-force conditions behind them in the first half. Unfortunately, the Robins failed to master their advantage with passes going astray and the final ball often being over hit. The first clear-cut chance fell to Banbury`s George Nash but the former Worcester City midfielder shot against the legs of Kevin Sawyer who came out to narrow the angle. The dangerous Johnson then failed to connect with Darius Browne`s cross as Banbury continued to threaten on the break. But as the half progressed, United slowly started to put their game together, Adam Mann had his shot deflected just wide and then no team-mate was on hand in the six yard box to touch-in Linden Dovey`s low cross from the right. In stoppage-time, however, Banbury were handed a late Christmas present when a rare mistake at the back allowed White the freedom to fire beyond Sawyer into the bottom corner.
Off bench to score
After the break Banbury continued to look strong and Sawyer was at his best inside the opening 60 seconds saving well to keep out Zac McEachran who let fly from 10 yards. The game appeared to be drifting further away from United on 52 minutes when the unmarked Johnson converted Browne`s cross to increase Banbury`s advantage to 2-0. In an attempt to freshen things up and increase the tempo to United`s performance, Carl Brown, Clayton Green and Nathan Modest all departed to be replaced by Sean Wood, Wilson and the speedy Jacob Sloggett. Sawyer made a brilliant save low down to his left from McEachran`s deflected shot and moments later, it was Nash`s turn to be denied by a super Sawyer save to keep United in the game. Play switched to the opposite end and out of the blue on 73 minutes, a good move down the left ended with Wilson pulling a goal back with a powerful drive that whistled in off a post for 2-1. The goal gave United a massive boost and were now on the prowl for a late leveller. They nearly paid the price for throwing men forward, first Mark Bell hit a post and Johnson fluffed his lines with just Sawyer to beat and the chance went begging. But with five minutes to go, more drama unfolded when Banbury keeper Jack Harding could only push Lewis Binn`s cross into the path of Smith who gleefully found the net for a dramatic equaliser with his 9th goal of the season.
Collicutt said after the game, ” Banbury are a good side but I wasn`t happy with the goals we conceded. But to get something from the game after going to two goals behind was pleasing. We had a few words at half-time and credit to the lads we kept going and that`s always a positive sign.”
EVESHAM UNITED: Sawyer, Dovey, Stanley, Green (Wood 54), Sysum, Wellon, Modest (Sloggett 64), Brown (Wilson 64), Mann, Smith, Binns.
Sub not used: Harding
Referee: Mr G.Hubbard (Halesowen)
Attendance: 331
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