French trialist Jean-Yves Koue Niate scored in his first game for Gloucester City in their friendly at Evesham United on Tuesday evening writes Rob Iles in the Gloucester Citizen.
The former Cannes centre-back headed in an equaliser in the 42nd minute to cancel out Evesham’s second minute opener from summer signing Paul Fahy.
Evesham manager Paul Collicutt was looking for a response after his side’s 7-3 defeat against Stratford Town at the weekend and they came flying out of the blocks, taking the lead inside two minutes as Paul Fahy raced into the box to get on the end of Sam Pearson’s pass and fire across Jasbir Singh into the corner of the net.
Ashley Williams had a shot on the turn tipped over the bar by Jasbir Singh as Evesham made the early running but Gloucester gradually got into the game with Ed Williams causing problems.
He cut in dangerously onto his left foot only for his well-struck effort to land gratefully in the arms of former City keeper Kevin Sawyer and hit another effort over the bar when he latched onto Keiran Thomas’ ball over the top.
Gloucester equalised three minutes before the break when Joe Hanks’ corner was met by Niate at the near post and his well-placed header went in off the far post.
Karnell Chambers posed more of a threat in the second half and made a good run infield before releasing Luke Hopper, who was denied by the legs of the advancing Sawyer.
The same two combined again but Hopper never really got a clean connection on the volley from Chambers’ well-flighted delivery and Sam Gilder made an easy save before a low drive by Joe Parker flashed just wide as Gloucester looked the more likely to grab a winner.
Gloucester City (4-3-3): J Singh; K Thomas (S Hamilton, 46), J Koue Niate; J Deaman, L Hall (L Odiero 46); C Dinsley (S Mendes 62), J Hanks, C Dinsley, C Knowles (T Webb 74); K Chambers (S Hicks 70), L Hopper (J Fitzgibbon 70), E Williams (J Parker 46).
Evesham United (3-5-2): K Sawyer (S Gilder 56); L Dovey, M Sysum, W Wellon (B Prictor 59); J Bryan (J Rhodes 71), L Sheehan, J Turley (S Penfold 87), A Williams, L Binns (N Stanley 46); P Fahy (C Brown 46), S Pearson (E Kennedy 46).
Referee: D Wootton.
Att: 197.
Plus interview with Paul Collicutt after game here
