EVESHAM United celebrated the turn of the year with a 2-1 win over strugglers Cinderford Town on Saturday as a bright start earned them all three points at the The Spiers & Hartwell Jubilee Stadium.

Kyle Belmonte’s goal in the seventh minute was quickly followed by Toumani Sidibe’s close-range finish as The Robins established an early two-goal advantage.

Third-bottom Cinderford did half the deficit six minutes before the break through Karnell Chambers but the home side eventually held out.

A third win in four league matches sees Evesham move up to 13th in the Southern League Division South table.

Evesham came into the clash on the back of a 3-1 defeat at high-flying Cirencester Town on Monday and they looked to be caught cold again straight from the kick-off had it not been for a top save from Lewis Clayton.

But from then the home side clicked into gear and a ball into the box from the right was controlled by Belmonte before he turned and shot low into the bottom corner.

Just five minutes had passed before the lead was doubled as another inviting ball was threaded into the danger zone and Sidibe was on hand to eventually slot it home after a bit of a scramble.

The lead looked comfortable but with half-time approaching, Cinderford’s Chambers headed home to get his side back in the contest.

There were chances at both ends after the break but Evesham managed to keep Cinderford out and seal the victory.