EVESHAM United head into Saturday’s home game against lowly Slimbridge looking to end their stuttering form which has seen them go four matches without a victory.
Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Winchester City saw United slip to fourth in the Southern League Division One South & West table and their cushion over sixth placed Mangotsfield United is now just four points having played a game more.
Three goals in the closing stages gave the home side a flattering margin of victory but in truth Paul Collicutt’s side were well below par at the Denplan City Ground.
The large contingent of United supporters could have been forgiven for thinking their side were in for a profitable afternoon when Winchester’s Robbie Matthews was shown a straight red card for a first-minute foul on Adam Mann, as he was the last man.
The Hampshire side’s keeper Lewis Noice twice had to rush from his area to deny Mann in the early stages, once clearing the ball with his head.
Although Craig Feeney forced Nick Stanley to clear at the expense of a corner, Winchester were generally on the back foot in the first half and it was somewhat against the run of play when they took the lead in the 28th minute when Howard Neighbour crossed from the right for Stuart Green to score.
Play was end to end with Elliot Kennedy and Mann having chances for the visitors before Evesham scored the equaliser just before half time when Lance Smith set up Mann who easily converted his tenth goal of the season.
However, 15 minutes into the second half it was ten against ten when Archie Haskayne received a straight red card for an alleged stamp.
The match then ended in dismal fashion for Evesham as they collapsed to defeat in the closing stages.
On 79 minutes Feeney was brought down in the box and Neighbour sent Kevin Sawyer the wrong way with a well taken spot-kick to make it 2-1.
Evesham tried to respond, but Winchester continued to defend well and Feeney came close to adding a third goal for the hosts.
With three minutes of normal time remaining the hosts were awarded a free kick 25 yards out and Andy Jenkinson scored directly from it to make it 3-1.
The visitors’ misery was compounded in the third minute of stoppage time when good play from Feeney set up Green who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
United finished the game with nine men after Jordan Bryan limped off in the second half with all three substitutes already used.
Collicutt will have to give fitness checks to top scorer Smith, Mann and Bryan ahead of this weekend’s encounter.