Palmer ends goal drought as United stay unbeaten (From Cotswold Journal)

Palmer ends goal drought as United stay unbeaten

7:00am Saturday 16th February 2013 in Sport

A STRONG second-half performance against relegationthreatened Winchester City enabled Evesham United to extend their unbeaten run to four games.

They recorded a convincing 3-1 win in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West at a sparsely populated Denplan Stadium.

But the victory was United’s first since the 1-0 Boxing Day success over Bishops Cleeve and the fourth on the road for Paul West’s side this season.

The Robins made one change to the side that drew with Abingdon last week as Leigh Downing came in for Simon Fitter, while top-scorer Marcus Palmer looked to end a two-month goal drought.

Winchester, who were trounced 6-1 by Yate Town in their previous game, stunned United by taking a sixthminute lead.

Keeper Tom Cross parried Liam Robinson’s shot and Louis Blackmore reacted quickest to turn the ball home.

Evesham were positive in their response and deservedly levelled on 18 minutes.

Sam Adkins delivered a dangerous free-kick which was glanced in by Palmer to move his tally for the season onto 13.

The rest of the half was low-key although Carl Brown went close on a couple of occasions for United and Robinson flashed a shot wide for the hosts.

Evesham came out with intent after the break and within six minutes took the lead when a corner on the left was forced in by Brown for his second goal in two games.

Palmer and Downing struck the Winchester woodwork as Evesham looked to finish the game off and they did just that with nine minutes left.

Good work down the right between Leon Kandekore and Palmer ended with the latter’s low cross being turned in by Will Gayton at the back post for Evesham’s first victory in 2013.

Evesham: Cross, Wilson, Hyde, Sysum, Jackson, J Blake, Downing, Adkins, Palmer (Hicks 89), Brown (Kandekore 75), Gayton.

Subs not used: Clarke, Hardwick, A Blake.

Attendance: 58.

• Evesham are running a coach to Poole Town for next Tuesday’s league game, departing the Spiers and Hartwell Jubilee Stadium at 2.30pm.

Supporters can reserve a seat by calling Mike Peplow on 07889-011539.

Meanwhile, the Robins have rearranged their home match with Mangotsfield United for