Robins Draw Local Derby on Bank Holiday Monday

Evesham United 1-1 Gloucester City
Monday 25th August 2025
Pitching In Southern League Premier South

Match Report: By Simon Purfield

Evesham United welcomed Gloucester City for a league clash, marking their first such meeting since the 2008-09 season. The home side began energetically, crafting an early opportunity for Levi Steele inside the opening five minutes, but Gloucester’s goalkeeper Jared Thompson managed to handle the threat.

In the ninth minute, Gloucester responded with a well-worked move down the right flank. A precise ball was played into the Evesham box and found Sion Spence unmarked. Spence seized the moment, curling a shot into the top left corner to give Gloucester the advantage.

Following the goal, Gloucester settled into their rhythm, gaining more possession and dictating the tempo. King Baidoo created danger on the byline after a challenge in the box, but no Gloucester player was on hand to convert for a second goal.

Evesham’s Brandon Liggett attempted to spark a response in the 33rd minute, but his shot was deflected for a corner, which yielded no reward. As the first half drew to a close, Baidoo showed his skill with a sharp turn inside the Robins’ area and fired the ball across goal, only for it to evade every attacker.

Gloucester threatened once more after Evesham lost the ball in midfield, leading to a long-range effort, and on the stroke of half-time, a goalmouth scramble followed a Joe Hanks cross, but the home side managed to clear the danger.

The visitors resumed the second half with intent, though the first chance after the break fell to Evesham’s Ethan Dunbar. He unleashed a powerful shot following a long ball from Ioan Richards, narrowly missing the target.

Gloucester’s Joe Hanks then tested Evesham’s goalkeeper Jenson Kilroy, who made an important save to turn the effort behind for a corner. Gloucester continued to apply pressure, creating several half-chances as they sought to extend their lead.

Midway through the second half, Evesham found their equaliser. Steele pressured Keiran Thomas, whose back pass to goalkeeper Jared Thompson was intercepted by Andre Wright. Wright rounded the keeper and calmly finished, recording his third goal of the season.

After the equaliser, both teams shared possession, each searching for a decisive goal. Gloucester substitute Elis Watts was quick to make an impact, curling a shot from distance just wide of the post with ten minutes remaining.

Evesham introduced Lewis Middleton in an attempt to stretch play, and while two long passes found him, neither led to a clear chance. Gloucester pressed in the final moments with a couple of late corners, but neither side could find a winner.

Next up, Bromsgrove Sporting at home in the FA Cup on Saturday.

ROBINS STARTING X1:

1 Jenson Kilroy (GK), 4 Josh Barlow, 6 Ioan Richards, 7 Aaron Heap (58′ 18 Jamar Smith), 9 Levi Steele (c) (79′ 16 Lewis Middleton), 11 Brandon Liggett (71′ 20 Ryan Hayes), 12 Andre Wright (82′ 8 Reegan Messenger), 14 Will Owens, 15 Jyrel Bojang, 17 Ethan Dunbar (64′ 10 Amer Awadh), 19 Cameron Walters

ROBINS UNUSED SUBSTITUTES:

ATTENDANCE: 706