Gloucester City 2-2 Evesham United
Saturday 3rd January 2026
Pitching In Southern League Premier South

Match Report by Simon Purfield

On a chilly Saturday at the KMM Energy Stadium, second-placed Gloucester City hosted Evesham United in front of a crowd of 1,577. Evesham United produced an outstanding display and will feel disappointed not to have claimed all three points, having taken a 2-0 lead courtesy of Ethan Dunbar. Ultimately, it was two goals from Gloucester’s centre-halves that salvaged a draw for the home side, who are pushing for automatic promotion.

Evesham United had the first opportunity, with Ethan Dunbar pouncing on a defensive mistake, advancing into the box, but sending his shot straight at Gloucester goalkeeper Jared Thompson. Gloucester’s initial effort came from Ed Williams, one of three former Evesham players in their line-up, whose header failed to trouble the visitors.

In the eighteenth minute, Kai Churchley collected the ball in midfield, drove forward and unleashed a shot that was easily gathered by Thompson. Gloucester then responded through Sion Spence, who attempted a long-range strike that flew wide.

Just after the half hour, Amer Awadh won possession in midfield, passed to Dunbar, who brought Churchley into the attack, resulting in a shot that was saved. As the first half drew to a close, Gloucester earned a series of corners, with their best chance coming from a looping header that Alex Harris managed to tip over the crossbar. In injury time, Awadh had a shot deflected for a corner.

The second half opened with Aaron Wildig testing Harris, but the Evesham keeper was equal to the challenge. Churchley then tried his luck from 25 yards, but his shot drifted wide of the far-right post.

Evesham United broke the deadlock in the 57th minute. Andre Wright collected the ball on the left wing and found Owen Foye just inside the box, whose precise pass allowed Ethan Dunbar to slide in from close range and score. Gloucester responded with a free kick in a dangerous area, but Marcus Day’s effort struck the wall.

With Evesham’s travelling supporters in full voice, Dunbar doubled the lead in the 72nd minute. Awadh’s superb pass sliced through the Gloucester defence, allowing Dunbar to race forward and calmly slot past Thompson from ten yards. Just two minutes later, Josh Barlow found space to shoot from 25 yards, his effort crashing against the crossbar.

The hosts finally responded in the 77th minute. Ed Williams delivered a cross from the left that reached an unmarked Michael O’Regan, who finished from six yards out, igniting the home crowd who had been quiet up until then. Shortly afterwards, King Baidoo sent a ball across the face of the goal, narrowly missing the target and going out for a corner.

With nine minutes remaining, Gloucester drew level. A corner picked out central defender Ben Richards-Everton, who powered a header from inside the six-yard box, leaving Harris with no chance.

As the match approached its conclusion, Kane Simpson and Joe Hanks both went close for the hosts. In added time, substitute Kieran Phillips struck a shot into the side netting.

Evesham United earned an excellent point away from home, despite surrendering a two-goal advantage. Their next fixture is a home match against Weymouth on Saturday, 10 January, with kick-off at 3 pm.

ROBINS STARTING X1:
1 Alex Harris (GK), 2 Liam Hutt, 3 Owen Foye (16 Lewis Middleton), 4 Josh Barlow, 6 Ioan Richards, 10 Amer Awadh (C) (5 Josh McConnell 83′), 12 Andre Wright (9 Levi Steele 69′), 15 Jyrel Bojang, 17 Ethan Dunbar 57′ 72′, 19 Cameron Walters, 20 Kai Churchley (7 Aaron Heap 69′)

ROBINS UNUSED SUBSTITUTES:
13 Brendan Beard (GK)

ATTENDANCE: 1577