Football
Holgate's debut goal earns Robins a point

DEBUTANT Danny Holgate marked his Evesham United bow with a goal but Matt Clarke's side had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Paulton Rovers in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South & West on Saturday.

Clarke has been looking for something different in the forward department lately and the giant Holgate - signed from Midland Alliance outfit Continental Star - wasted little time in making his mark as he received the ball 30 yards from goal before smashing home a low drive beyond the dive of Rovers keeper Kyle Phillips in the 32nd minute.

However, Paulton levelled three minutes after the restart when United failed to clear their lines properly and Kris Miller was allowed time and space to beat visiting keeper Dean Coleman.

A low-key affair then came to life as both sides pushed hard for maximum points, with striker Marcus Palmer going closest for Evesham when he struck the woodwork from distance and then, after rounding Phillips, could not find a team-mate to apply the finishing touch.

Henry Eze also went close with a header from Leigh Downing's corner, but it was Paulton who finished the game on top, only to be thwarted by the excellent Coleman.

The United stopper somehow got a hand on to Craig Loxton's snap-shot to push it over the bar and then produced top class saves to deny Miller and the influential Nick McCootie.

The point leaves Evesham in fourth place with 11 points from six matches ahead of their next league match at home to unbeaten leaders Poole Town on October 6.

MEANWHILE, the Robins will be without captain Tesfa Robinson for October's league matches against Poole Town, Cirencester Town and Mangotsfield United after he was called up to play for St Kitts & Nevis in the 2012 Caribbean Cup.

The 26-year-old defender flies out on October 4 to play qualifying round ties against Anguilla on October 10, Trinidad & Tobago on October 12 and French Guiana on October 14 before flying home on October 17.

EVESHAM'S Worcestershire Senior Cup semi-final tie at Stourbridge has been arranged for Tuesday, November 13 and extra time and penalties will take place if needed.

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