Football
Midweek win lifts United into fourth spot

Buy photos » Evesham new-boy David Kalonji launches an attack against Poole Town. Photo by Neville Collins. 41012010nce3.

EVESHAM UNITED bounced back from the disappointment of losing 3-2 at home to leaders Poole Town on Saturday to claim a 3-1 victory at the then second placed Cirencester Town on Tuesday.

The win has lifted the Robins into fourth place in Southern League Division One South & West and leaves them in good spirits heading into tomorrow's visit to Mangotsfield United.

The visitors were dominant throughout the match as they played some outstanding football and there was a debut goal for new forward Liam Hughes, recruited from Black Country Rangers for whom he had already bagged 20 goals in the West Midlands League Premier Division this season.

Home keeper Matt Bath had already made saves to deny new on loan Solihull Moors man Gavin Hurren, Neil Mackenzie and Roland Agbor before he was finally beaten in the 44th minute when Lee Osborne burst down the left and got in a cross which Bath could only parry into the path of Marcus Palmer who tapped in his seventh goal of the season.

United bossed possession after the break but did not double their lead until the 75th minute when Bath blocked Palmer's effort, only for the ball to fall kindly to Hughes who lashed home his first goal for the club.

Late substitute Leigh Downing got on the scoresheet in the 82nd minute when he cut in from the left before driving the ball home under Bath before Sam Collier bagged a consolation for the Centurions in stoppage time.

UNITED surrendered their unbeaten home record against Poole on Saturday despite a rousing second half rally.

Adam Kelly put the Dorset side ahead in the 19th minute, Carl Preston doubled the Dolphins' advantage ten minutes before the break and then struck again shortly after the restart to seemingly put the outcome beyond doubt.

However, Evesham upped the tempo and Palmer converted Agbor's knock down to reduce the arrears before making it 3-2 in the 67th minute when he got on the end of Hurren's through ball to slot past advancing keeper Nick Hutchings.

United pressed hard for an equaliser and Henry Eze saw a header ruled out for pushing before Mackenzie drove inches wide with Hutchings beaten in stoppage time.

EVESHAM exited the Red Insure Cup at the preliminary round stage last Thursday as they were beaten 5-4 on penalties at Bishops Cleeve following a 3-3 draw after extra time.

Downing's 29th minute goal hauled the visitors level two minutes after they had fallen behind to Davis' opener.

No more goals followed in normal time so extra time was needed and goals from Palmer and Osborne looked to have sealed the Robins' progress as they went 3-1 up, only for Gatton's brace to take the tie to spot kicks.

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