Swindon Supermarine 0 Evesham United 2
Southern League Division One South & West
THREE days after putting paid to Taunton Town’s 15-match unbeaten run, the Robins were at it again on Tuesday as they ended the 16-match unbeaten league streak of third placed Marine thanks to a brace from red-hot striker Lance Smith.
It was another great away day for the Red & Whites, who have tasted defeat just three times on their travels in the league this season and the win lifts them to within four points of the play-off places, albeit having played three more games than fifth placed Taunton.
Another defensive masterclass ensured United registered a fourth clean sheet in succession and Swindon can have no complaints about the outcome after being outplayed throughout by the on-song Robins who, with just two defeats in their last 18 league encounters, refuse to give up on a play-off place.
United were forced into changes with Clayton Green and Carl Brown absent but included 18-year-old Karnell Chambers on the substitutes bench having signed on work experience forms from Vanarama National League leaders Cheltenham Town.
The first half was low-key with United having the edge as, despite large chunks of possession, they were unable to find the net.
Adam Mann did have a shout for a goal that was disallowed for offside and home keeper Harvey Rivers made a couple of decent stops from Smith and Jacob Sloggett.
Swindon had a couple of half chances themselves as Kevin Sawyer gathered low down from Chris Taylor and Ryan Morgan blazed over after a good run from inside his own half.
Sloggett sent a header just over at the start of the second half and Rivers diverted Nick Stanley’s shot around a post as Evesham pressed in search of an opening goal.
The breakthrough eventually arrived on the hour when Stanley’s defence-splitting pass enabled Smith to charge clear and cut inside before stroking in past the advancing Rivers.
United needed another goal to put the game to bed and it duly arrived courtesy of another Smith strike on 75 minutes when the outstanding Ashley Williams found Smith inside the box with a measured pass which the striker clinically put away.
Smith then beat Rivers for a third time but it was chalked off for offside and at the other end Sawyer made a trademark save to deny Marcus Schuster.
It was then left to the United fans to celebrate at the final whistle after another awesome performance by Collicutt’s men, who host Larkhall Athletic on Saturday before entertaining doomed Bashley on Tuesday.
