EVESHAM United bounced back from their first defeat of the league season to defeat North Leigh 3-2 as Greg Peel scored twice in an exciting encounter at the Jubilee Stadium on Tuesday.
The Robins, keen to erase the disappointment of their first hurdle FA Cup exit to Newcastle Town, were beaten 2-0 at Paulton Rovers on Saturday but responded in midweek to take their points tally to seven from four Southern League West matches.
However, Paul Collicutt’s side had to do things the hard way against a decent North Leigh outfit after falling behind in the eighth minute when George Seacole strolled on to a Sam Mendes cross and fired past Kevin Sawyer.
The hosts kept their nerve though and were level eight minutes later when Linden Dovey’s pass found Jordan Bryan on the edge of the box and he teed up Peel to convert with ease.
On 21 minutes Adam Mann’s goalbound strike was blocked by former Robin Will Wellon before at the other end Seacole might have done better than head over from a corner.
Evesham took the lead in the 35th minute when Lewis Binns’ powerful shot was parried by visiting keeper Manny Agboola, but only into the path of Peel who fired home his second goal of the game from close range.
United were the better side in the second half and extended their advantage in the 65th minute when Mann converted Bryan’s cross to make it 3-1.
However, North Leigh were handed hope 12 minutes later when an uncharacteristic mistake by Sawyer gifted Liam Carroll a goal.
Evesham pushed for another goal but Binns fired just wide of the post and Carl Brown’s strike was well saved, meaning it was a nervy final few minutes for the home faithful before the full time whistle was blown.
The win came on the back of a disappointing visit to the Bristol area on Saturday.
The hosts took the lead in the second minute when a long cross by Joe Guest led to Kailan Gould hitting a half-volley past Sawyer.
Thirty minutes in Evesham nearly levelled as a header from Leroy Odeiro was helped over for a corner by defender Sam Hedges.
Mann then hit the inside of the post with a 20-yard free kick with the keeper well beaten before Peel spurned a chance on 46 minutes when he blasted over the bar.
Sawyer was in action again with a couple of good saves before Paulton made it 2-0 on 74 minutes as Dale Evans’ right-wing corner was headed home by Hedges.
The home keeper brilliantly tipped over a piledriver from substitute Jordan Lymn late on but the visitors’ efforts were to no avail.
Evesham, who return to action at Devon outfit Bideford on September 9, have seen striker Mark Magee depart the Jubilee Stadium to seek more game time.
Also departed is Nick Stanley who, after move than three years with Evesham, has decided to move to Highworth Town for family reasons.
The popular midfielder said on social media: “With the new family member shortly arriving it made sense to play closer to home.
“All the best to all linked with the club!! #gogetpromotion #greatfans #itsbeenapleasure.