EVESHAM United moved into the Southern League Division One South top five with an entertaining 2-0 home win over Winchester City on Saturday.
The Robins took their points tally to 11 from six games after producing a vastly improved second half display to end the visitors’ unbeaten start to the campaign.
There was little sign of an Evesham win in the offing when Winchester made a flying start to the match and forced Lochie Robertson into two smart saves inside the opening five minutes before the Bristol City loanee made a double save on 14 minutes and the ball was headed on to the bar before finally being cleared.
Simba Mlambo continued to torment Evesham as the half progressed and Oliver Griggs crashed a 30-yard strike against the Evesham bar and the ball dropped on to the goalline before being cleared.
Lee Chilton finally threatened the Winchester goal shortly before half-time but it was the visitors who were left perplexed as to how the match remained goalless at the break.
In the second half, however, United were a side transformed and within seconds Kai Tonge headed over from a corner before the deadlock was broken on 52 minutes when clever play on the right enabled Matt Dodd to find Aaron Roberts whose cross was headed home at the far post by Chilton.
Four minutes later Robertson made another fine save – this time with his feet to deny Oliver Balmer – and it proved to be a key moment as just a minute later it was 2-0 when Dodd found a little space in a crowded box and fired home to delight the bulk of the 240-strong crowd.
Winchester did not give up and the inspired Robertson pulled off another fine stop to deny Mlambo late on but there was no denying the Robins, who return to league action at Melksham Town on September 28.
This Saturday’s scheduled clash at Cinderford Town has been rearranged due to the hosts’ involvement in the FA Cup. Evesham will now visit The Causeway on Tuesday, October 8.
Meanwhile, tickets are available for an evening with Paul Merson at the Jubilee Stadium on Thursday, October 24 (7pm for 7.30pm start).
Tickets for the event, which features food and a comedian, are £50 or £500 for a table of ten. Contact Chris Wright on 07980 920443 or email [email protected].