Evesham stormed to a stylish 4-1 victory at North Leigh in the Evo-Stik Southern South & West Division with star striker Lance Smith scoring twice to take his tally to 23 League and Cup goals for the season. However, a thick blanket of fog that descended on Eynsham Park mid-way through the first half threatened an early abandonment, but thankfully for the large contingent of Evesham supporters the game was completed to enable United to chalk up their 8th away success of the campaign.
Credit must go to referee Andrew Humphries and his assistants who handled the conditions admirably to allow to game to continue and reach its conclusion. This was echoed by United manager Paul Collicutt who said afterwards,
“The officials were first class and used common sense throughout. They were always on top of the situation and I was relieved we completed 90 minutes after playing so well. “It`s always a big ask to come here and win but we were very good and could easily have scored more goals. It was a professional performance and everyone contributed against a strong North Leigh side. Both teams wanted to play and it turned out to be an entertaining game of football. The win was for our fans who travelled here in numbers and gave the boys great support.”
United began at a high tempo with the unmarked Lance Smith heading straight at Manny Agboola but the Millers` keeper was soundly beaten on 15 minutes when Carl Brown raced up the slope from just inside the North Leigh half before planting a tremendous low drive into the bottom corner. Seven minutes later Smith did find the net for 2-0, with an explosive finish from 12 yards after a surging run down the right by the impressive Paul Fahy. However, before Smith struck loanee Garyn Preen came to United`s rescue with a goaline clearance to deny Jamie Cook whose shot looked destined for the far corner.
Brown scored United’s opener
The second half started with a bang with United scoring twice in the opening three minutes. Preen pounced on a loose ball to score his first goal for the club and then Fahy created the opportunity for Smith who expertly tucked away goal number four from close range. With the three points now in the bag, the only obstacle in United`s way was the weather but fortunately the mist and fog didn`t get any worse and referee Humphries allowed play to carry on. Leading scorer George Seacole pulled a goal back for the hosts on 55 minutes but that was as good as it got for John Brough`s men. United dominated the remainder of the contest but were unable to find the target again, with the North Leigh goal living a charmed life and Agboola pulling off a series of outstanding saves. Two stops in quick succession from Fahy were top drawer and when Agboola was beaten Dan James poked the ball off the line from substitute Nick Stanley. Before the end Preen and replacement Mark Magee tested Agboola but once again the stopper proved his worth by making more fine saves.
UNITED:
Sawyer, Dovey, Odiero, Sheehan, Harding, Williams, Fahy, Brown (Stanley 62), Smith, Mann (Magee 78), Preen (Binns 74).
Subs not used: Kennedy, Paddock
Referee: Mr A.Humphries ( Daventry)
Attendance: 142
