Defensive duo salvage point for City after Dunbar double

Centre back pairing Michael O’Regan and Ben Richards-Everton showed their effectiveness in the attacking third as they both scored to salvage a 2-2 draw for Gloucester City on Saturday afternoon.

Evesham United had been 2-0 up, thanks to a double from Ethan Dunbar, but a disjointed City were saved by two goals in three minutes – before nearly going on to claim all three points in a dramatic end to proceedings.

Despite avoiding defeat, City dropped to third in the Southern League Premier South table as both Walton & Hersham and Poole Town claimed victories in their respective fixtures.

The City fans knew that even though their side salvaged a draw, it was very much two big points dropped in their quest to keep up with the league leaders.

January is a big month for Daf Williams’ side, with a trip to Marine in the FA Trophy ahead of them next weekend.

Away league games against Havant & Waterlooville and Walton & Hersham come either side of a home game against Tiverton Town – with their ambitions for the season really put to the test in the next few weeks.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/mortgageadvicegloucestershire for your financial planning needs

After a first half that saw minimal goalmouth action, it was the visitors who struck first as former Longlevens and Bishops Cleeve forward Ethan Dunbar slid past Jared Thompson after a ball in from the left by Owen Foye.

The points looked set to head back up to Evesham with 18 minutes left on the clock when Dunbar went through on goal, with the forward slotting past Thompson to stun the home supporters at the KMM Energy Stadium.

The Evesham fans were brilliant throughout the contest but were extra vocal after Dunbar’s brace – but the City fans exploded into life on 78 minutes.

After Ben Richards-Everton recycled a free kick into the box, his cross was turned home by Michael O’Regan, who encouraged the home support after scoring against his former club.

The Gloucester fans were still chanting when a Sion Spence corner was nodded home by Richards-Everton, who climbed highest to beat Alex Harris in the air.

City were rampant, but substitutes Joe Hanks and Kieran Phillips couldn’t quite force a winner, with Hanks having two efforts saved comfortably by Harris and Phillips blasting into the side netting.

In the end, both sides would have walked from the field disappointed with an claiming a draw, but in particular for City, they will know they got away with a poor performance, massively.

Whilst City head to Marine next weekend, Evesham welcome Weymouth to the Jubilee Stadium.

Gloucester City: J Thompson, Jones, Roberts, O’Regan, Williams, Wildig, Spence, Richards-Everton, Day, Baidoo, Simpson

Subs: C Thompson, Morgan, Phillips, Hanks, Emmett

Evesham United: Harris, Hutt, Foye, Barlow, Richards, Awadh, Wright, Bojang, Dunbar, Walters, Churchley

Subs: Beard, McConnell, Heap, Steele, Middleton

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Ben Richards-Everton (Gloucester City) & Ethan Dunbar (Evesham United)