Mann: Scored 7 in a week
Adam Mann scored twice to keep United`s play-off push alive in a hard fought victory against Tiverton Town at the Jubilee Stadium. Sharp-shooter Mann bagged a brace late on, the second a penalty just three minutes from time to make it five straight wins and just two defeats in 21 Evo-Stik Southern South & West games for the Robins.
It was a tense affair with both sides going into the game knowing that defeat would put a huge dent in any play-off dreams. Fortunately for Paul Collicutt`s side they came through with flying colours with former Gloucester City striker Mann moving onto 23 goals for the season and seven in his last 3 games. Experienced goalkeeper Kevin Sawyer returned between the sticks for United after missing the midweek drubbing of basement boys Bashley but midfielder Sean Wood was absent having to serve a one-match ban for his sending-off at Taunton two weeks ago.
The visitors drew first blood on 10 minutes, when the United defence failed to deal with Joe Perry`s huge punt upfield allowing leading scorer Levi Landricombe to fire beyond the advancing Sawyer. Back came United, Jake Sloggett and Matt Sysum both sent headers over and Lance Smith had his shot blocked before Lewis Binns smacked a shot against the Tivvy crossbar and Landricombe did likewise at the other end before half-time.
Seven minutes into the second half, Tiverton squandered a glorious chance to go further ahead when James Richards blasted his spot-kick against the woodwork after Landricombe had been fouled in the box by Will Wellon. The miss proved costly, when on the hour Sloggett broke down the right and centered to Binns who beat Perry with a first-time drive into the roof of the net for 1-1. Ten minutes remained when United got their noses in front, courtesy of Mann who smashed the ball home from close-range after Sysum had headed down Jared Wilson`s corner. United`s celebrations were short-lived with Ethan Phillips levelling things up at 2-2 with a fierce shot three minutes later which Sawyer got a hand on but couldn`t keep out. The drama continued leading-up to United`s winning goal in the 87th minute. The hardworking Lance Smith was took down from behind in the area by Mike Williams and Mann stepped-up to convert from 12 yards to make it 3-2. Over five minutes of added-time was played but United held their nerve to comfortably see the game out and clock-up a fourth league double of the season.
Collicutt was full of praise for his side and said, ” We were made to work hard for the victory by a strong Tiverton side but we kept our shape and discipline and over the 90 minutes I felt we deserved the win. It`s another important three points and I`m pleased with that. We didn`t make the best of starts but the turning point for me was the penalty miss, it spurred us on and we went from strength to strength. Next up is a massive test for us at title contenders Cinderford Town who are unbeaten at home this season and hopefully we`ll take a good following with us.”
Photographs courtesy of Viv Curtis of Tiverton Town – thank you
EVESHAM UNITED:
Sawyer, Dovey, Stanley (Green 65), Wilson, Sysum, Wellon, Sloggett (Brown 76), Williams, Mann, Smith (Modest 87), Binns.
Subs not used: Chambers, Harding
REFEREE: Mr G.Taylor (Stratford)
ATTENDANCE: 260
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