Evesham`s 260-mile round trip to the south coast for their opening pre-season friendly proved a very useful exercise when the Robins held higher graded and big spending Gosport Borough to a creditable draw at the Vanarama South`s Privett Park headquarters.
Because of holidays and unavailability, United went into the match without seven of last season`s play-off squad but for large chunks of the game looked the better side and were unlucky not to return home with a win. Included in the United line-up were new signings Ashley Williams and Clayton Green who were both at Paulton Rovers last season and Ben Maguire who has spent time at Swindon Town and more recently Bishops Cleeve.
A lack of numbers and late arrivals in Hampshire were not ideal preparations but United overcame these obstacles and went on to dominate the first half without finding the back of the net. Lee Smith whose pace and trickery troubled the Gosport defence all afternoon, twice went close early on, as did the hardworking Lance
Smith who screwed an effort just wide and then shot into the side-netting.
It came as no surprise when Lance Smith fired the Red and Whites ahead on 59 minutes with a superb lob over Nathan Ashmore that found the back of the post via an upright. Gosport responded and drew level four minutes later when Lee Wort capitalised on a rare mistake at the back to make it 1-1. The home side were enjoying their best spell in the game and on 71 minutes substitute Kieran Stevens gave reserve team goalkeeper Josh Goddard no chance firing the Boro into a 2-1 lead from close range.
But it was Paul Collicutt`s side who finished the stronger and levelled proceedings with two minutes to go. The Gosport defence failed to clear Sean Wood`s corner and the alert Green pounced to smash home the equaliser from eight yards to deservedly end the contest at 2-2.
EVESHAM UNITED: Goddard, Jackson, Wellon, Williams, Harding, Dovey, Wilson, Wood, Slack, Lee Smith, Green.
SUBS: Lance Smith, Maguire and Stanley.
REFEREE: Mr A.Moody (Hampshire)
ATTENDANCE: 135
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