Football
Robins' fightback is in vain

A FIRST half defensive horror show ultimately condemned Evesham United to a disappointing 4-3 home loss to rock bottom Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.

Despite being 4-0 down at the break, the Robins staged a stirring second half fightback but fell just short of completing a dramatic recovery and remain too close to the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division drop zone for comfort.

United boss Matt Clarke made two changes to the side which beat Weymouth the previous weekend as Marcus Jackson replaced Jack Winter who failed a late fitness test and Henry Eze - man of the match against the Terras - surprisingly dropped to the bench.

Evesham fell behind in the 22nd minute when a left wing cross from dangerman Nick Stanley was converted by the unmarked Bradley Gray.

The lead was doubled two minutes later through Gray before Stanley was again the provider as he crossed to Rob Dean to make it 3-0.

Marine remarkably led 4-0 by the 38th minute when Dean netted his second after getting on the end of a cross from Ben Wells.

Evesham reduced their arrears in the 51st minute when Marcus Palmer followed up Ben Pugh's drive to convert his 13th goal of the season and ten minutes later the Robins were back in the contest when James McPike found the net after Kyle Lapham's headed back pass fell short of keeper Ashley Harrison.

However, two minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty when half time substitute Simon Fitter handled on the goalline and was sent off, but Robins keeper Dan Platt produced a superb save to keep out Gray's spot kick.

Ten-man Evesham battled on and made it 4-3 in the 83rd minute through Craig Wilding but, despite their best efforts, were unable to find what would have been a deserved equaliser.

Seventeenth placed United, four points above the drop zone, visit promotion-chasing Stourbridge tomorrow.