EVESHAM United remain winless in the Southern League Division One South after their first defeat of the season at local rivals Bishops Cleeve on Bank Holiday Monday.

Goals in the opening 45 minutes from Ethan Dunbar, Jay Malshankskyj and Harrison Reeves handed the hosts a comfortable 3-0 lead at the break.

The Robins improved in the second period but were unable to really threaten any sort of comeback as the hosts held out for the three points.

It means Mike Ford's side have drawn three and lost one of their first four matches in the 2023/24 league campaign.

Monday's defeat followed another draw at the weekend as Ford's men came from a goal behind to take a point from their home clash with Hamworthy United. 

The first 20 minutes were slow and steady and it took until the 20th minute for the first clear-cut chance of the game as Sam Griffin’s effort sailed wide.

Five minutes later, Alfie Dunn, who was making his first appearance of the season after his suspension carried over from last season, had a very good chance to put the home side in front but his effort whistled past the post.

Shortly after the away side took the lead and in style too as a cross came in which was met on the volley by Owen Pelham and his strike found the side netting inside the goal.

There were three disallowed goals at the start of the second half as Hamworthy were twice denied a second and Levi Steele saw what he thought to be the equaliser ruled out.

As the game wore on, Evesham began to get a bit more desperate but Amer Awadh stepped up in the final ten minutes to weave his way into the box before curling past the keeper to make it 1-1.

The Robins lost three times to Hamworth last season, including the semi-final play-off defeat, so a point was more than anything they got last season.