Calor League South & West

Evesham United 3, Bridgwater Town 2

BRIDGWATER Town relinquished a two goal half-time lead to go down 3-2 at Evesham United on Saturday, writes Eddie Robinson.

Tom Knighton's brace had fired the Robins into a 2-0 lead at the break, but the hosts mounted an impressive fight back to score three unanswered second half goals and send Town home empty handed.

Encouraged by their two home performances last week, Bridgwater were on top from the kick-off, with Mawford having the first effort on goal.

Bater forced the first of a series of corners and on 18 minutes, Knighton shot just wide of the upright.

Mawford and Bater were bossing the midfield, allowing Bridgwater's four-prong attack to have plenty of possession.

McGrath dominated down the middle, taking all the pressure of his fellow defenders - Evesham's only effort of the first-half came on 20 minutes when Brown's shot was routine enough for Alexander.

Bridgwater took the lead on 24 minutes when Page's header found Knighton in the danger area and he fired home from close range.

A minute later, Page teed up Knighton, whose goal-bound shot was cleared off the line - but Bridgwater were not to be denied and the same combination linked up to allow Knighton to slot home his second poachers goal of the afternoon on 27 minutes.

Mawford's 20-yard drive was well-saved on the stroke of half-time, as Bridgwater headed into the interval with a two-goal lead.

But Bridgwater made a sluggish start to the second-half and Evesham reduced the arrears after 49 minutes when Brown found the space to fire in a low drive from 20 yards which found the bottom corner.

Encouraged by the goal, Evesham looked a different team and began to find the loose balls falling into their path.

The old footballing adage of a game of two halves was very appropriate here as Evesham took charge of the game - and it came as no surprise that Evesham equalised when Palmers looping header cannoned into the net off the far post on 62 minutes.

The momentum was now with the home side and Bridgwater's substitutes were unable to stem the tide.

On 77 minutes, Palmer was allowed to run past three tepid tackles before finding Brown, who calmly slotted home the winner.

In the three previous games, Bridgwater had rallied in the closing stages, but this time around they were unable to find the all important third goal and travelled home with nothing.