Evesham`s play-off hopes continue to stutter after a frustrating 1-1 scoreline with struggling Yate Town at the Jelf Stadium. United took the lead through Mike Baker`s own goal in the 82nd minute only to be punished for not killing the game off when the Bluebells` hit back with substitute Jake Slocombe firing home an equaliser four minutes from time to earn his side a share of the spoils. It`s now three consecutive draws for the Robins who suffered more injury woes with skipper Linden Dovey, Lewis Binns and Liam Harding all having to leave the field and now major doubts for the important home game with fellow play-off hopefuls Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.
Yate went into the contest without a win in ten games and despite a lack of victories, United arrived at Lodge Road unbeaten in five and seeking a third league double of the season. Despite dominating possession in the first half, United struggled to get an effort on target with the Yate defenders on a number of occasions throwing their bodies on the line to get in crucial blocks as the ball flew goalwards. United`s best moment arrived leading up to the interval with Town keeper Harvey Rivers somehow holding onto Elliot Kennedy`s near post drive after the winger had burst into the Yate box. Earlier, Kevin Sawyer had been called into action making a flying save to deny Luke Bryan and Nick Stanley got in a last-ditch tackle on Hayden Evans with Yate asking one or two questions on the breakaway.
United upped the tempo after half-time and looked far more threatening going forward with the hardworking Stanley a constant threat down the left delivering some teasing crosses into the danger area. United`s luck was summed up when top scorer Lance Smith headed against a post and Adam Mann was unable to get the final touch a yard out in front of an open goal. Smith got himself in a tangle at the back post and scuffed a Stanley delivery agonisingly wide before United`s pressure was finally rewarded when Baker turned Lorcan Sheehan`s cross beyond Rivers and into his own net. That should have been game over for the Red and Whites and a signal to shut up shop but unfortunately just four minutes later sloppy defending allowed Kyle Thomas to find debutant Slocombe who buried an unlikely equaliser past the helpless Sawyer.
The result left United rueing their missed chances in the second half but boss Paul Collicutt was in reflective mood afterwards and said “Yes I am disappointed but with 12 games to go we are second in the league and would have taken that all day long at the start of the season. “The loss of three key players carried off just after half-time was a blow and didn`t help matters but we still created enough opportunities to win the game. “We drew with Paulton last week and then at the weekend they go and beat in-form Taunton and that shows how unpredictable this league can be. Nothing is guaranteed in football and there will be plenty more twists and turns before the end of the season. We now move on to Swindon Supermarine this Saturday which is another massive game for us and hopefully our supporters will turn out in numbers to get behind the boys.”
UNITED:
Sawyer, Dovey (Williams 37), Stanley, Haskayne, Harding (Odiero 53), Sheehan, Kennedy, Bryan, Smith, Mann, Binns (Sloggett 32).
Subs not used: Gilder, Magee
Referee: Mr A. Berrow (Lydney)
Attendance: 228
