Evesham were unfortunate to return from the New Forest with just a point after dominating against ten-man Bashley in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division. United, without a win in nine games, did enough to claim victory but remain five points adrift in the relegation zone. Midway through the second half injury to referee Matt Eva forced a stoppage for 17 minutes while a replacement was found. No one with the qualifications was available on the ground, so to avoid the game being postponed Mr Eva completed the match by running the line and one of his assistants took over in the middle.
Both sides created and missed chances in a decent first half, the best of which saw Bash keeper Stewart Kearn touch Henry Eze’s header onto the crossbar. The home side were reduced to ten leading up to half time when Dan Strugnell was deemed the last man when bringing down Ben Pugh as the Evesham striker bore down on goal.
Evesham were camped in the Bashley half for long spells in the second half but couldn’t find a way through a packed defence. Eze twice got into good positions but failed to beat Kearn and then the keeper made brave saves to keep out efforts from Pugh and Neil Mackenzie and when Evesham did get the ball in the net Pugh’s strike was disallowed for a push on home defender Gary Middleton.
Evesham: Platt, Wilson, Tasker, J. Clarke, Eze, Daniel, Winter (Agbor 45), Murphy (Ardallany 67), Mackenzie, Wilding, Pugh. Subs not used: Connor, M. Clarke.
Attendance: 201.
