Evesham United 3-0 Taunton Town
Sunday 14th December 2025
Pitching In Southern League Premier South
Match Report by Simon Purfield
Evesham United made the trip to Basingstoke Town on Saturday, hoping to secure their first away victory in three months. The opening forty-five minutes yielded few clear opportunities, with both sides largely relying on long balls. Evesham were well-organised defensively and aimed to hit their hosts on the counter-attack.
The best chance for Evesham in the first half came after 20 minutes. Owen Foye delivered a cross that was flicked on by Andre Wright, finding Levi Steele at the far post. Steele’s effort was kept out by a fine save from Basingstoke goalkeeper Simon Grant.
Basingstoke’s most notable opportunities saw Alex Harris called into action for Evesham, saving well. From the resulting quick corner, Connor Barratt’s delivery was flicked on by Scott Armsworth, and Harris palmed the ball to debutant Conor Whitley, but Whitley’s shot went comfortably over the crossbar. Just before the interval, Armsworth had another chance, dragging his shot wide of the near post following a long throw. The first half ended goalless.
Evesham started the second period brightly. In the 48th minute, a header from Ioan Richards following a corner clipped the outside of the post. Shortly after, Andre Wright’s deflected shot grazed the outside of the far post. Another promising move saw Levi Steele break down the right and cross for Wright, who volleyed across the face of goal but was off-balance and could not make clean contact.
On the hour mark, Amer Awadh tested Grant in the Basingstoke goal, but his effort was straight at the keeper.
Basingstoke began to assert themselves, enjoying more possession, though without seriously troubling Harris in the Evesham goal. Armsworth had another effort following a long throw, while Billy Upton flicked a near-post header just over the bar from Barratt’s corner.
The home side’s pressure told in the 77th minute. Barratt’s free kick was punched clear by Harris and, after being recycled in midfield, found its way to Robbie Gallagher on the right. Gallagher’s cross was slightly deflected by Harris, sending the ball to Billy Upton at the far post. Upton controlled well and volleyed into the top corner for what proved to be the only goal of the match.
Evesham pressed for an equaliser, with substitute Kai Churchley having two late chances. In the 88th minute, his shot went narrowly wide of the post, and deep into stoppage time, his powerful strike from outside the box was well saved by Grant.
Despite a determined performance, Evesham were unable to find the net and arguably deserved at least a point. The result means Evesham have now failed to score in five of their past six away games and remain 11th in the Southern League Premier Division South.
Their next fixture is a home game against Yate Town on Saturday, 27 December, with a 3 pm kick-off.
ROBINS STARTING X1:
1 Alex Harris (GK), 2 Liam Hutt (78′ 5 Josh McConnell), 3 Owen Foye, 4 Josh Barlow (78′ 20 Kai Churchley), 6 Ioan Richards, 9 Levi Steele, 10 Amer Awadh (C) (7 Aaron Heap), 11 Brandon Liggett, 12 Andre Wright (63′ 17 Ethan Dunbar), 15 Jyrel Bojang (90′ 16 Lewis Middleton), 19 Cameron Walters
ROBINS UNUSED SUBSTITUTES:
ATTENDANCE: 526
