Monday, January 1, 2001

EVESHAM United and Bromsgrove Rovers shared the points after a thrilling 3-3 draw in last night's Dr Martens League Western Division derby at Common Road.

United led on three occasions but battling Bromsgrove hit back to draw level each time and in striker Richard Burgess the visitors had the liveliest player on the park.

Evesham took the lead on 11 minutes when John Deakin's cross was powerfully put away into the roof of the net by Phil Preedy.

Rovers levelled in the 22nd minute when Burgess met Shaun Bedward's cross and side-footed home at the near post.

However, there were more goals to come as another two followed in the next four minutes.

First, Jay Powell met Steve McCartan's free kick and his header crept under the sprawling Nore Gabbidon and at the other end, Powell cleared off the line from Burgess, before former Evesham player Quentin Townsend volleyed in Michael Crawford's free kick at the far post.

Four minutes into the second half McCartan put Evesham 3-2 in front.

He picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Bromsgrove area, skipped past a defender, before firing low past Gabbidon.

Bromsgrove kept pushing forward and were rewarded for their efforts with a third goal 14 minutes from time. A long ball over the United defence picked out substitute Dean Wright who rounded United keeper Damien Beattie before netting with a well-struck shot from 20 yards.

Evesham had the best chance soon after to win the game but with five minutes to go Dean Roberts, who had earlier replaced Shaun Pratt, blasted over from point-blank range following a goal-mouth scramble.

Evesham: Beattie 6, Smith 7, Pendleton 6, West 6, Powell 6, Deakin 6, Parmenter 7 (Licata 63, 6), McCartan 8, Pratt 6 (Roberts 63, 6), Taylor 6, Preedy 7. Subs not used: Brown.

Bromsgrove: Gabbidon 7, M Beard 6 (J Beard 63, 7), Ulfig 6, Townsend 7, Frost 7, Turpin 6 (Wright 63, 6), Benbow 6, Burgess 8, Bedward 6, Crawford 6, Biddle 6 (Rowe 73).

Attendance: 161

Referee: Andy Woolmer, Northampton.