Shortwood United 3

Evesham United 2

By Jim Cunneen

SHORTWOOD made it four Evo-Stik Southern League South and West Division wins on the spin to leapfrog Evesham United into fourth.

In-form strike duo Jake Lee and Liam Meredith were on target again and sub Joe White completed the scoring as the Nailsworth side came from behind to win a five-goal thriller to end Evesham’s six- game unbeaten run.

Co-manager Alex Sykes was delighted how his side responded from the FA Cup defeat at Vanarama South outfit Oxford City.

Sykes said: “This was a great result for us – especially after the disappointment of Saturday and it shows how far we have come – Jake Lee was our man- of- the-match, but Niall Halford pushed him all the way.”

Evesham included Forest Green midfielder Louis McGrory and ex-Wood striker Adam Mann.

Earlier, Evesham took the lead after 20 minutes when Sean Wood clipped a free-kick beyond Tom King.

Wood responded and it was no surprise when they levelled after 31 minutes. Sam Hicks laid the ball back, Marley Thomas provided the cross and Meredith headed strongly home. A minute later Lee was inches away from sliding in a Thomas cross.

The game took a twist in the 62nd minute. Evesham broke at speed and when a low cross came in Lance Smith somehow put the ball over the bar in front of an empty net.

Shortwood responded. Matt Bennett sprayed the ball to Thomas and when he fired low across the box Lee scored with a superb back-heel. Evesham were still in the game and King saved a low shot.

White came on for Meredith after 80 minutes and made his mark with a neat finish past Kevin Sawyer from a James Singh assist.

Smith grabbed a last-gasp injury time consolation for shell-shocked Evesham.

SHORTWOOD: King, Rawlings, Humphreys, Lewis, Halford, Peare, Hicks (Singh 71), Thomas (Taylor 84), Lee, Meredith (White 80), Bennett.

Evesham: Sawyer; McGrory (Brown 82), Sysum, Dovey, Wellon; Washbourne (Smith 57), Williams, Wood (Harding 67), Stanley; Mann, Macdonald.

Sub not used: Jackson.

Attendance: 108.

Star Man: Jake Lee.