EVESHAM United stumbled into 2014 with a 6-2 home thrashing by bogey side Wimborne Town after having their goalkeeper sent off.

The Robins, who visit midtable Taunton Town in Calor Southern League Division One South and West on Saturday (3pm), shipped six goals against the Dorset side for the second time this season.

United had keeper Louie Barnfather, standing in for the injured John Bateman, sent off at the end of the first-half with coach Gary Baines taking over.

Lance Smith buried Marcus Palmer’s cross to give Evesham a fifth-minute lead against Wimborne.

But the visitors levelled through Sam Griffin and scored twice in the final two minutes of the half through Mark Gamble.

Barnfather lost possession to Gamble for the first and was then harshly ruled to have fouled Wimborne’s top-scorer, who put the penalty past replacement Baines after the red card was issued.

Smith finished Jared Wilson’s pass a minute after the break but George Webb struck twice and Gamble completed his hattrick despite Baines’ heroics.

Evesham: Barnfather, Wilson, Mansell, Barnfield, Dovey (Holloway 74), Jackson, Kennedy (Baines 45), Davis (Vercesi 61), Brown, L Smith, Palmer.

Subs not used: J Smith. Attendance: 183.

  • A strong second-half performance enabled Evesham to claim a 1-0 victory in the Boxing Day derby with local rivals Stratford Town.

Carl Brown’s ninth goal of the season earned United a third away win but their makeshift defence was under pressure for long first-half spells.

Stratford, however, paid the price for not turning possession into goals when Brown struck with 17 minutes left.

The reliable Bateman impressed in goal for Evesham, whose only clear opening in the first period saw Brown foiled by keeper Andy Kemp.

The outstanding Linden Dovey and Brown went close in the second- half before Ed Williams set up the only goal. Bateman injured his hip late on and was replaced by Barnfather.

Evesham: Bateman (Barnfather 84), Wilson, Mansell, Barnfield, Dovey, Tambling, Kennedy (Jackson 58), Davis, Brown, L Smith (Palmer 68), Williams. Subs not used: J Smith. Att: 290.