A dour encounter at Cossham Street ended in stalemate but keep Evesham in a play-off spot. United had all the play and dominated possession but without the services of leading scorer Marcus Palmer through injury rarely looked like finding the back of the Mango’s net. Mangotsfield, who went into the game seeking their first home win of the season defended in numbers throughout the first half restricting the robins to few opportunities in front of goal. Gavin Hurren did head Tom Warmer’s corner just wide and Neil Arndale got in a brave block to deny Evesham’s Roly Agbor with half-time approaching.
Things improved for Evesham in the second half with home keeper Kevin Sawyer called into action on a number of occasions but only to make routine saves from Agbor (twice), Warmer and Player/coach Neil MacKenzie. Substitute Nathan Hicks then squandered a golden opportunity to clinch an away win but prodded wide of the target with only Sawyer to beat. Evesham keeper Dean Coleman, a spectator for most of the game, ensured his side a share of the spoils in stoppage time when he made flying save to keep out Marcus Duharty’s goalbound drive and saw Matt Thorne’s follow-up fly over.
Evesham United: Coleman, Kalonji, Hyde, Hurren, Eze, Warmer, Connor (Vernaschi 70), MacKenzie, Holgate (Polan 58), Downing (Hicks 64), Agbor
Subs not used: Williams, Elmes
Referee: Mr B Durie (Tewkesbury)
Attendance: 184.
