Belmonte keeps up Evesham’s win streak
SHURDINGTON’S Maisie Hill competed in the Snowboard World Championship Big Air competition in Chur, Switzerland. With a strong field made up of Olympic medallists and world champions, Hill finished in the top 10 in her first competition of the season. Ove
ALATE Kyle Belmonte goal saw Evesham United continue their unbeaten Southern League Division One South streak to four games with a 2-1 win over Bideford at the Spiers & Hartwell Stadium.
A first-half goal from Chris Knowles opened the scoring in the 31st minute, a powerful header from former Cheltenham Town scholar Josh Aldridge’s corner.
Ten minutes after half-time, the visitors equalised through Lewis Brooks.
The Robins looked lost for options with time running out, but a perfectly executed low shot from Belmonte saw the hosts take the lead, which they saw out until full-time.
Bishop’s Cleeve, having lost striker Jack Watts to Midland League side Stourport Swifts, were edged out 1-0 at Westbury United.
Watts played over 250 matches for the Mitres since joining in 2014 and was instrumental in their Hellenic League title win last season scoring 30 goals.
Westbury came up with Cleeve at the end of last season, and Aaron Cockerill’s 58th-minute effort proved enough for the win.
For the second successive weekend, Cirencester were involved in a long Division One Central journey to Greater London and came away with a hardfought 0-0 draw against Walthamstow.
Cirencester put their hosts under plenty of pressure and probably shaded the first half but couldn’t find a goal and after the interval it was a much more even contest with Walthamstow creating the better chances but being denied by resolute defending.
In added-time, Walthamstow were denied a winner when Jordan Watson collected a cross from the right and fired towards the left post but Cirencester skipper Jake Lee managed to stretch, block and clear the goalbound effort on the line.
New Bourton Rovers manager Mike Connolly started with a 1-0 Hellenic League Division One win over Newent Town on Saturday.
Connolly has taken over from CJ Price, who left the club to join the coaching set-up at Premier Division side Longlevens.
Luke Walsh scored the winner for the Cotswold outfit to give Connolly a winning start after he stepped up from number two to the top job.
“Mike has been a superb number two since arriving at the club bringing in a host of exciting young players who the club feel he can now get the best out of,” said a club statement.
“He will be supported by Ryan Dean who will remain in his post as goalkeeping coach and Chris White as coach, who will carry equal responsibilities under him.
“It’s been brilliant to have had interest from three other parties regarding the role but we are confident in Mike’s ability to bring success to BRFC.”
Second-half goals from Edd Major and Stu Midwinter gave Cheltenham Saracens a 2-1 win over high-flying Milton United.
Milton were reduced to 10 men by a first-half red card, but took a 1-0 half-time lead.
Midwinter equalised for Saracens from the penalty spot before Major’s 90th-minute free kick gave them the points.
Harry Smith scored twice as Moreton Rangers won 5-1 at bottom side Cirencester Town Development.
Jamie Goodwin, George Kirby and Josh Burford scored the other goals, with 16-year-old Oakley James scoring his first goal for Cirencester.
In the Premier Division, Fairford Town went down 3-0 at home to Wantage, all the goals coming in the first half, while Ross Langworthy missed a second-half penalty.