EVESHAM United’s impressive league form was continued with a scrappy 1-0 win against Hanwell Town.
An exquisite finish from substitute Ethan Dunbar was enough to push his side up to fifth in the Southern League Premier South, whilst consequently sending his opponents down into 16th.
In a game dominated by long balls and bouncing headers, the sight of quick passing and well-worked build up play was rare.
Both teams were evenly matched throughout the game, with the first shot on target coming from the away side in the sixth minute.
This was soon to be followed by Evesham’s first shot on target, however an easy save for Sam Beasant meant the game stayed goalless.
A quick interception by left back Will Owens in the 26th minute set the Robins on the attack, resulting in a cynical foul by Hanwell’s number four Callum Woodcock and the first yellow card of the game.
Evesham used this booking and created the first clear period of momentum in the contest – by delivering balls into the travelling team’s box and increasing the tempo of their passing, the home fans were gaining their first sense of hope towards goal since kick-off.
A delicate header lifted over the goalkeeper by Ioan Richards had the hosts thinking they had taken the lead in the 27th minute, only to be ruled out by the offside flag seconds later.
The cagey theme of the fixture carried on into the half time break, with nothing more than a half chance going for either team in the first 45 minutes.
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It was only until the 60th minute – in which 22 year old Ethan Dunbar was substituted on for captain Levi Steele – that the Robins took control of the game.
Good spells of hold up play by Andre Wright allowed the home side's attack to open up, with through balls using the fresh legs of the substitute immediately.
Just four minutes after his arrival, Dunbar was sent through with the biggest chance of the game, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner to give his side a valuable one goal lead.
Using the motivation to keep a clean sheet and see the game out, Evesham upped their pressure, with Dunbar almost claiming his second of the game after rapidly closing down Beasant in goal.
With a desperate Hanwell Town fully committing in an attempt to gain the equaliser, United’s back line kept steady heads to calmly deal with any possible threat up until the final whistle.
Evesham now turn their focus to a tie with Uxbridge on Saturday, October 25 - the side sit just two places below the Robins in the league table.
This win pushes the Robins to four wins in their past six, rewarding them with 13 points from a possible 18.
