Evesham United 3, Swindon Supermarine 4

A FIRST-half defensive horror show proved Evesham United’s downfall in losing to rock-bottom Swindon Supermarine in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division.

The Wiltshire outfit led 4-0 at half-time and Matt Clarke’s side looked dead and buried.

A spirited second-half fightback saw United push Swindon all the way but it failed to prevent them claiming just their second away league win of the term.

Manager Clarke made two changes to the side who convincingly beat Weymouth 4-0 the previous Sunday.

Marcus Jackson replaced Jack Winter, who failed a late fitness test, and Henry Eze, man-of-the-match against the Terras, was named on the bench. Evesham looked outof- sorts from the start and held out for 22 minutes before falling behind.

Dangerman Nick Stanley’s cross from the left was easily put away by the unmarked Bradley Gray.

The lead was extended two minutes later with Gray again exploiting a square-looking Evesham defence to put Marine 2-0 ahead.

Stanley was again provider for Swindon’s third, crossing to Rob Dean who made no mistake from close range.

It became 4-0 seven minutes before the break with Dean bagging his second after getting on the end of Ben Wells’ cross.

Evesham needed a quick response and got one within six minutes of the restart when Marcus Palmer followed up Ben Pugh’s drive for his 13th goal of the season.

It got better for the Robins on 61 minutes as James McPike found the net after Kyle Lapham’s headed backpass fell short of keeper Ashley Harrison.

Two minutes later, Swindon were awarded a penalty when Simon Fitter handled on the goalline and the Evesham substitute was subsequently sent off.

But United keeper Dan Platt produced a superb save from Gray’s spot-kick to keep the Robins in the hunt.

With seven minutes to go, Craig Wilding made it 4-3 but, despite late pressure, 10-man United were unable to find the last-gasp equaliser their efforts deserved.

Evesham United: Platt, Wilson, Quaynor, Daniel, Spencer (Eze 46), MacKenzie, Jackson (Fitter 46), Wilding, Pugh (Connor 54), McPike, Palmer. Subs not used: Keen, Clarke. Attendance: 84.