Evesham Utd 3, Rothwell Tn 2

IF the entertainment value from last Saturday's opener is mirrored throughout the next 20 league matches at Common Road, then the Evesham faithful will be guaranteed a memorable season, writes Mervyn Collins.

However, the Robins must learn how to kill off sides and become more solid at the back if the fans aren't to endure yet another winter of discontent.

Three deserved points were taken on an afternoon when United, missing manager Dave Busst, Andy Smith and Mark Burrow, struck the woodwork four times, found the net three times and had another goal disallowed!

Rothwell's only serious first half attack ensured interval parity before a comedy of errors involving David Cairns and goalkeeper Tim Clarke gifted the visitors the lead after 64 minutes. Evesham, with Paul West at the helm, hit back in fine style to claim the points courtesy of goals from Cairns and Lee Ross.

The hosts, who gave Southern League debuts to a handful of players, made a bright start and Steve Duncan headed the opener from Gavin O'Toole's pinpoint tenth minute free-kick. Rothwell levelled within five minutes when Jason Turner stooped to head in a right wing cross. Grant Pinkney struck the angle of the goal after 27 minutes and Duncan hit the crossbar ten minutes later after Ross's deep cross.

The striker's flick a minute after the break was superbly volleyed past Tom Smith by Jermaine Clarke who was adjudged to be in an offside position.

Simon Fitter replaced a limping Anthony Watson after 58 minutes six minutes before Cairns gave the ball away on halfway.

Clarke's attempts to clear the ensuing through ball saw Danny Spencer nick it off the keeper before being chopped down by Cairns for Steve Towers to fire in the resultant spot-kick, rightly awarded by referee Amy Rayner.

Clarke had another escape when Turner's centre bounced across his goalline after more hesitant defending but Cairns made up for his error when he blasted in an equaliser out of nothing after picking up the ball 35 yards from goal.

Five minutes after the 68th minute leveller, Ross's spectacular overhead strike crashed against the bar but he wasn't to be denied 15 minutes from time when his header from Pinkney's up and under left Town keeper Smith stranded.

The scorer found wood again after 79 minutes with a left foot strike on an afternoon when the Robins tested the nerves of their supporters who, nevertheless, all went home happy.