Ebanks joins Sporting as Evesham spell ends

» CHELTENHAM Town striker Callum Ebanks has joined Bromsgrove Sporting on loan until the end of the season after ending his Evesham United spell with two goals in their 3-1 win at Melksham Town on Saturday.

Ebanks has impressed in the Robins’ youth set-up, with outstanding performances for the under-18s seeing him elevated into the first team squad and has made one first-team appearance, against Norwich Under-21s in last season’s EFL Trophy.

In his spell with Southern League Division One South side Evesham this season, the 19 year old netted 10 goals in 13 starts, plus one appearance as a substitute.

He now moves up to Southern League Premier Central level and made his Bromsgrove debut on Monday as they drew 1-1 with neighbours Redditch United.

Sporting manager Gavin Hurren commented: “I really think Callum could be an absolute goal machine for us. He’s big, powerful and knows where the back of the net is.

“There’s been a lot interest in him but, luckily for us, we’ve been able to get him over the line. I’m really looking forward to working with him.

“He’s got a lot of ability and with myself and Gary (Birch) being able to work with him from now until the end of the season, it will put him in good stead in going back to Cheltenham and cementing a place in their first team.

“I want to thank Cheltenham Town and their Director of Football Micky Moore for pushing this one through.”

At Melksham, Evesham secured a morale boosting victory, their first win in six matches, after a difficult week with the departure of manager Lee Driver-dickerson after just a month in charge.

Former manager and the club’s head of football Neil Hunt is again overseeing the first team as interim manager.

Cheltenham Town’s head of Academy coaching Tim Bell has been brought in to assist Hunt and his assistant - Cheltenham’s Under-18 coach Pete Haynes - over the coming weeks, while the Evesham board continue their search for a permanent new manager.

Meanwhile, chairman Jim Cockerton has announced he will step down from the role next June after almost 30 years with the club.

Vice-chairman Chris Wright will become joint chairman in preparation for taking on the role next year.

On the field, Sam Hendy put the Wiltshire-based hosts 1-0 up in the 42nd minute, a lead they maintained until the break.

Midway through the second half Will Christopher put through his own net following a low hard cross from Ebanks.

And it was Ebanks who won the game for the Robins netting in the 88th minute and then converting a 90th minute penalty.

Cirencester Town were denied victory over Mangotsfield United as two late goals – one an added-time penalty - enabled the Mangos to take a point back to Bristol.

The Centurions opened the scoring in the 12th minute following a near-post finish from Joe Shepherd.

After a fairly even first half they increased their lead against the run of play shortly after the mid-point of the second half through Ross Gabriel who was played into the box by Tommy Anderson.

Cirencester had chances to seal the game but the visitors pulled a goal back as Kye Simpson buried a cross at the back post and in added time a long throw into the home box led to a penalty that Daniel Mcbeam converted to secure a point for the visitors.