EVESHAM United boss Paul Collicutt said he was “just happy to leave with three points” after Adam Mann’s goal and a Matt Williams brace secured a 3-2 victory at local rivals Bishops Cleeve on Tuesday.
The win was the Robins’ second in succession after Saturday’s thrilling 5-3 success at Slimbridge in which the visitors recovered from conceding an early goal to triumph thanks to efforts from Lewis Powell (2), Matt Liddiard, Mann and Carl Brown.
The maximum points haul from two thrilling Southern League West matches has lifted Evesham into third place in the table ahead of Saturday’s key encounter at home to leaders Taunton Town, who sit four points above United having played three games fewer.
Collicutt admitted to being relieved at seeing off rock-bottom Cleeve after a two-goal (3-1) lead at the break was cut in half midway through the second period before midfielder Archie Haskayne saw red late on for a second yellow card.
“We started reasonably well but two injuries in the first half disrupted us and Bishops Cleeve got back into it just before half time with the penalty awarded for handball, which I thought was very debatable,” said Collicutt.
“However, it’s a vital three points on the board. The pitch was OK but will get a lot worse here as the season goes on and I think Cleeve will take points off quite a few sides as the campaign progresses.
“We had to battle hard for maximum points but we did enough and we can move on to the next game – our biggest match of the season so far – in good shape.
“The big disappointment is the injuries really. Bradley Gray was due to be a substitute but he’s got a problem and is likely to be out for two or three weeks, Adam Mann will be struggling for Saturday and Carl Brown felt something go, so we’ll have to look at him.”