Manor Farm bounce back in style as they make it three wins from four away to Evesham, writes Jack Davies.
Farm have made a habit of fast starts in their recent successes and were keen to continue in the early stages of this one. Owen Brain drove at the home defence but fired his effort narrowly wide. Evesham hadn’t started the season as well as they hoped, but with that incredible late run to the play offs last spring, they always carry a threat. Captain Amer Awadh found himself played through and squandered the hosts’ best chance of the half by firing over. Manor Farm would get the opener, and to their credit, the goal came in some style. Evander Grubb started the attack on the wide flank, followed by Jayden Nielsen’s inch-perfect perfect cross to Brain who firmly guided his header into the far top corner. Five minutes before the break, Farm doubled their lead. Making his return on Tuesday evening, Marcus Day rolled back the years in a Farm shirt when he sent a skimmed shot into the far left corner.
Farm may have expected an onslaught from the trailing hosts, but it was the away side who looked the more likely to grab the game’s third goal. Brain and Day combined again just seconds after the restart, but the latter’s effort was off target. Then young defender Harry Lucas leaped above everybody following a Nielsen free kick, but his header was just over. Farm would have to see the result out with ten men in the 70th minute as Lloyd Mills was given his second yellow card just minutes after his first. The nervous finish that dismissal promised got even worse for Farm just a few minutes later. Alfie Dunn forced a good save by Locke but fellow Robins substitute Will Owens was on hand to tap in for 2-1. Farm had their backs against the wall, but strong defending was enough to see off a potential comeback and send Farm home with three big points.