Evesham`s play-off hopes continue to gather momentum, thanks to Adam Mann`s hat-trick in the 5-2 demolition of Larkhall Athletic in the Evo-Stik Southern South & West Division. The victory made it three wins in a week for Paul Collicutt`s men and six games unbeaten with Mann taking his tally to 19 goals for the season. Larkhall who won 3-0 at Plain Ham in October and beat United in last year`s play-off semi-finals, never looked like causing another upset and were thankful to goalkeeper Lewis Noice for keeping the score down to five with a number of blinding saves. Collicutt kept faith with the same starting eleven that beat high-riding Swindon Supermarine in midweek with Cheltenham Town youngster Karnell Chambers again having to make do with a place on the substitutes bench. Noice prevented United from making a dream start when he palmed behind Matt Sysum`s goalbound header inside the opening sixty seconds. But it wasn`t long before Mann beat Noice with a low drive into the far corner to hand United an 11th minute lead. Lance Smith sent an overhead-kick just over and then Mann just failed to connect with Smith`s delivery across the face of an un- guarded goal. But after enjoying a spell of pressure, Larkhall levelled on 29 minutes through a Jamie Lyons spot-kick after Will Wellon had impeded Dean Griffiths in the box. Back came United and in the last action of the half, Ashley Williams who had an outstanding game in the middle of the park, met Sean Wood`s corner to direct a header beyond Noice to give the Red and Whites a 2-1 interval lead.
Mann: Scored hat-trick
Things got better six minutes after the re-start for United when a mix-up at the back allowed Lewis Binns to fire home goal number three from the edge of the box. Noice somehow made point-blank saves to keep out Smith and Mann and Wood shaved the woodwork as the Robins pressed for a fourth goal. The preditory Mann got it turning in Clayton Green`s low cross past Noice on 79 minutes. The visitors pulled another goal back just before the end through Josh Egan for 4-2, but it was Mann who had the final say in stoppage-time, converting Binns` cross at the near post to complete a comprehensive win and bag his second hat-trick of the season.
Collicutt was delighted with his sides efforts over the last seven days and said afterwards, ” It was a massive week for us and we`ve come through with flying colours. We played three tough games and picked-up an impressive nine points. The boys have been magnificent but we`ve still got ten Cup Finals to play. We`ve hit a bit of form at theminute and must take it through to the end of the season. Our second half performance this afternoon was pleasing but you can never relax in this league. I was happy that Adam got his hat-trick but slightly disappointed we conceded two goals. We`re up to seventh now and take it one game at a time and see where we end up.”
Pictures by Stuart Purfield here
EVESHAM UNITED:
Sawyer, Dovey, Stanley (Green 70), Wood (Wilson 79), Sysum, Wellon, Sloggett (Chambers 70), Williams, Mann, Smith, Binns.
Subs not used: Harding, Brown
Referee: Mr R.Price (Walsall)
Attendance: 235
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