On the day that Hereford clinched the Evo-Stik Southern Division One South & West title, Evesham boosted their play-off ambitions with an impressive 2-0 victory against Taunton Town in front of a crowd of 323 at the Jubilee Stadium. The win lifted United into 4th spot above big spending Salisbury and made it five games unbeaten for Paul Collicutt`s men.
Not surprisingly the Evesham boss was delighted with the result saying, “It was a massive win and a top performance by us but we had to battle and compete for the whole 90 minutes to get the result. “To keep a clean sheet against the top scorers in the division is very pleasing and the save Big Kev pulled off in the second half was outstanding. “The two goals we scored were extremely well taken and the reaction from the supporters and players when Manny got the second goal was fantastic. But the three points will mean nothing if we don`t get a positive result down at Tiverton on Saturday which is another huge game for us.”
Bryan opened scoring
Once again United were depleted through injury and unavailability with Carl Brown, Ashley Williams, Jake Sloggett, Leroy Odiero, Lance Smith, Elliot Kennedy and Sam Pearson all missing. Collcutt though named former Cheltenham Town and Gloucester City defender Matt Williams in his starting line-up after his return Australia. Taunton arrived in a rich vein of form with just two defeats in 25 games and a tight first half showed that both sides knew how important the game was. The visitors did start the brighter with Matt Buse having an early effort deflected wide but as United began to settle they started to look dangerous themselves, with Bradley Gray flashing a shot wide and Lloyd Irish holding Archie Haskayne`s header beneath his crossbar. But on the half hour there appeared little danger when Jordan Bryan picked the ball up in midfield but he was allowed to race unchallenged towards goal and power a shot beyond Irish to give United a 1-0 lead. Within 60 seconds, however, Taunton had the ball in the net at the other end but the Peacock`s celebrations were immediately dampened when Craig Veal was adjudged offside. United nudged possession for the rest of the first half and went into the break holding a one-goal lead.
Soon after half-time, Kevin Sawyer kept United`s lead intact with a super point-blank save to deny Veal who looked certain to score, then in the scramble that followed Williams was on hand to clear off the line to keep out substitute Josh Searle. Adam Mann and Haskayne got shots on target but with the game entering its 6th minute of stoppage-time, Mann produced a moment of brilliance by tricking his way past three defenders and steering in his 12th goal of the season past Irish and into the bottom corner. The final whistle blew shortly afterwards and United were left to celebrate another vital win and rise in the play-off pack to within touching distance of Taunton and Tiverton.
Pictures by Stuart Purfield
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UNITED:
Sawyer, Dovey, Williams, Haskayne, Harding, Sheehan, Preen (Fahy 69), Bryan, Magee (Binns 83), Mann, Gray.
Subs not used: Gilder, Wood, Stanley
Referee: Mr P.Hardisty (Dudley)
Attendance: 323
