Taunton Town 0 Evesham United 1
Southern League Division One South & West
LANCE SMITH ended Taunton’s 15-match unbeaten run with a second half goal on Saturday to earn ten-man Evesham a crucial three points in their pursuit of a play-off place.
The Evesham-based striker struck in the 72nd minute to score his 14th goal of the season and gain revenge for a 3-0 drubbing handed out by the Peacocks earlier in the season.
It was a tremendous effort from the Robins, who played more than 50 minutes with ten men after midfielder Sean Wood was sent off for two yellow cards late in the first half, and boss Paul Collicutt was thrilled with his side’s efforts.
“It was a big result for us and keeps our season alive. Everybody put in a big shift and we deserved the win, there was no fluke about the result,” said the United manager.
“A lot of sides would have folded going a man down against a team in the play-off places but we actually got stronger and looked the better side.
“We have 12 games left and will be trying our hardest to win them all.”
The win leaves United eighth in the table and seven points behind fifth placed Taunton, although they have played two games more. Tomorrow (Tuesday) sees the Robins visit third placed Swindon Supermarine.
United came out of the blocks quickest and carved out a couple of opening opportunites as Matt Sysum fired over and Taunton keeper Lloyd Irish did well to hold Wood’s driven free kick.
The home side responded when Jamie Price headed over from inside the six-yard box and then Taunton’s celebrations were cut short when Rob Farkins’ header was disallowed for offside.
The Red & Whites then suffered a massive blow when Wood received his marching orders seven minutes before half time, leaving United with a mountain to climb in the second half.
The game opened up after the break with Taunton sensing victory with the man advantage and Jordan Rogers went close on a couple of occasions leading up to the hour mark.
The action quickly switched to the opposite end as Adam Mann and Nick Stanley both fizzed shots wide with Irish beaten before Rogers then had a ‘goal’ chalked off for offside, only for United to stun the home crowd by scoring the only goal of the game 18 minutes from time.
Smith, who worked his socks off all afternoon, danced around a cluster of Town defenders as he worked his way into the box before rounding Irish and firing home to spark wild celebrations from the United supporters behind the goal.
A late flurry of Taunton pressure was dealt with by the United back line and came to nothing. Indeed, the best chance before the end fell to Mann but United’s leading scorer pulled his shot wide with only Irish to beat.
It is now three clean sheets in a row and just two defeats in 17 for United.
