A SUPERB hat-trick by Adam Mann helped Evesham United to a comprehensive 4-1 win against Mangotsfield United at a wet and windy Cossham Street on Tuesday night to lift the Robins into eighth place in Southern League Division One South & West.
The in-form striker has found the net seven times this season and his latest efforts ensured Paul Collicutt’s side built on Saturday’s thumping 4-0 win at home to Burnham.
Bristol-based Mangotsfield, whose manager Richard Thompson resigned after the game, had no answer to United’s pace and movement as the Robins recorded successive league wins for the first time this season.
Evesham included three former Field players in their line-up, while the hosts paraded Lewis Powell, who rejected a move to the Jubilee Stadium last month.
The game was a slow burner for the opening half hour as the visitors enjoyed the greater share of possession, but that all changed dramatically in Evesham’s favour with two goals in six minutes.
An attempted clearance by home keeper Kieran Preston struck the back of one of his defenders and sat up nicely for the impressive Mann to delicately lob in over the stranded Preston.
On 38 minutes it became 2-0 thanks to a great run down the left by Nick Stanley who then picked out the unmarked Mann in a crowded goalmouth and he coolly slotted in past Preston.
Evesham continued to look impresive after the interval and Preston made a smart save in the opening minute to deny the lively Clayton Green.
Carl Brown shot just wide, Stanley floated a free kick over and the overworked Preston gathered Mann’s downward header but, against the run of play, Powell pulled a goal back for the hosts when he headed in Matt Groves’ cross after United had surrendered the ball in midfield.
Key saves
Mangotsfield then enjoyed their best spell in the game but found Kevin Sawyer in top form, as the former Field stopper made brave point-blank stops to keep out Connor Waldron and then Powell as the home side pressed for an equaliser.
United dealt with the situation and came storming back to score a third goal in the 84th minute when another classic move involving Green and the hardworking Lance Smith ended with the latter finding the predatory Mann, who found the top corner to complete a fine hat-trick.
It became 4-1 to the rampant Robins in the last minute when Green was sent sprawling in the box by Alex Kite. Matt Sysum’s spot kick was saved by Preston, but substitute Sean Wood connected with the rebound to slot home to the delight of the travelling Evesham fans.
ON SATURDAY Evesham easily saw off a Burnham side who arrived at the Jubilee Stadium with just 12 players.
Soon after Smith had thumped a volley against the bar, Mann gave the hosts an early lead after latching on to Smith’s flick on.
The second goal arrived eight minutes before the break when Brown was fouled and, from Stanley’s inswinging free kick, the unmarked Sysum ghosted in to prod home beyond the helpless Ben Hitchins.
For the second time in the first half Green then saw an effort ruled out for offside, as did the hardworking Smith early in the second half, before on the hour mark a post denied Green after good work by Mann.
Substitute Jacob Sloggett then became the third player to rattle the visitors’ woodwork before Smith turned his marker at the near post in the 74th minute to make it 3-0.
An encouraging afternoon’s work by United was then completed with a fourth goal two minutes from time from the turbo-charged Sloggett, who saw off the challenge of three Burnham defenders and confidently beat Hitchins to score his first goal for the club after his move from Bath City earlier in the month.
Trophy test
ATTENTIONS turn to cup duty this weekend when Southern League Premier Division outfit and county rivals Redditch United – who the Robins dumped out of last season’s FA Cup – visit the Jubilee for an FA Trophy first qualifying round tie.
Should a replay be required, it will take place at the Valley Stadium on Monday.
MIDFIELDER George Washbourne has left the Robins to join Northern Premier League Division One South outfit Chasetown.