REPORT | Evesham United 1 Thatcham Town 2

DEBUTANT Kye Simpson saw red 22 minutes into his debut as Evesham United slipped to another Sunday defeat.

The Robins moved in front through Sean Brain’s mesmeric opener on the stroke of half-time and hit the post after the restart through Tyrone Tucker-Dixon only for two goals in as many second-half minutes to turn the tide.

Resolute Thatcham made life tough from there with Kye Simpson, signed from Mangotsfield United this week, kicking out at Gareth Thomas during a skirmish with a minute to go.

Referee Liam Corbett consulted his assistant and wasted no time in brandishing the red card before booking Thomas for his reaction.

There was still time for United to blow one last chance when substitute Will Tunnicliff, thrown up for one last surge, cleared the crossbar from Liam Harding’s ball in from deep.

After a tight opening, Thatcham gradually got on top with Lewis Gabbidon forcing Harvey Rivers into a near-post block from a tight angle.

George Jeacock then fired across the box with Shane Cooper-Clarke failing to connect with a wild swing in front of goal.

Just before the half-hour mark Scott Rees fed Gabbidon to slide across to Cooper-Clarke whose shot was blocked by Joe Turley.

The pressure continued to build with Jeacock getting down the right again to hammer low across goal but too far ahead of Cooper-Clarke.

Evesham managed to break that momentum and landed a blow against the run of play in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.

Brain picked up the ball on the left near the halfway line and weaved through challenges of Michael Miller and Tom Melledew before stroking inside Chris Rackley's near post.

Thatcham again built pressure steadily after an even start to the second half with James Clark fed down the right to round Rivers only for the home custodian to recover with a vital touch.

Substitute Cory Simpson added impetus for Evesham, finding Brain to guide across the box for Tucker-Dixon to hit the outside of the near post in the 62nd minute.

But the Robins got caught cold with a ball dinked over the backline as Rees nudged in for Gabbidon to tuck the bouncing ball past Rivers.

Seconds later the comeback was complete as Clark took aim from a loose ball 25 yards out to catch Rivers off his line and loft into the centre of the net.

Try as the might, United could not muster any sustained pressure with Kye Simpson’s dismissal and Tunnicliff’s wasted lifeline adding to the misery.

Robins: Rivers, Hancock (Tunnicliff, 76), Davidge, Turley, Harding, Wellon, Tucker-Dixon, Tumelty, Brain (K Simpson, 67), Campbell, Thomas (C Simpson, 60). Unused subs: Humphreys, Haskayne.

Thatcham: Rackley, Ngathe, Angell, Melledew, Garetty, Thomas, Miller, Rees (Helmare, 90+1), Gabbidon, Cooper-Clarke (Elliott, 87), Jeacock. Unused subs: Sankoh, Downes, Palmer.

Attendance: 214.

Referee: Liam Corbett.