NEW recruit Kye Simpson struck in the 90th minute to earn Evesham United a point from a thrilling 4-4 draw against Highworth Town on Saturday and end the Robins’ four-match losing streak in all competitions in the process.
Windy conditions made life difficult for the sides but to their credit each played some excellent football at times and the draw leaves United third in Southern League Division One South, although they have played more games than everyone except bottom side Barnstaple Town.
The Wiltshire visitors took a 14th-minute lead through Callum McGhee-Parsons’ 25-yard strike but Evesham rallied well as Marley Thomas fired just wide.
However, the hosts fell 2-0 behind on 32 minutes when a poor clearance was intercepted by former Robin Ashley Edenborough who rounded the keeper and slotted home.
Evesham were rocking but crucially halved their deficit on the stroke of half-time through Cory Simpson’s excellent free-kick.
Highworth were probably still confident of securing victory at this stage but saw their lead wiped out just past the hour mark when Joe Turley and Archie Haskayne combined to win possession for Evesham, from which Sean Brain’s superb pass reached Kye Simpson who converted from 15 yards.
However, Rory Sproule restored the visitors’ lead with a header on 73 minutes and within a minute Evesham once again found themselves two goals adrift when dismal defending allowed Toumani Sidibe the chance to crash a thumping shot into the net.
Evesham, though, refused to throw in the towel and within no time at all it was 4-3 when Cory Simpson prodded the ball home in a crowded box to give much hope to the home supporters.
Cory’s brother Kye then netted his late leveller before Edenborough denied his old side victory by heading off his own line with 30 seconds remaining.
Evesham are without a league game this weekend due to scheduled hosts’ Winchester City’s involvement in the FA Cup. The match has been rearranged for Tuesday, November 13.
The Robins return to action a week on Saturday at Moneyfields, looking to earn revenge for last month’s 5-1 FA Trophy thumping at the Jubilee.
<b>Kye Simpson finds the net for United. Picture by Stuart Purfield.</b>