Evesham United Youth entertained Crewe Alexandra in the FA Youth Cup Second Round this evening at the Jubilee Stadium.
For the first 25 minutes of the game the hosts competed well and limited the League Two Academy side to a number of half chances. The best chance for Evesham was a header from a free kick that went just over the crossbar.
Crewe took the lead in the 29th minute when a goalmouth scramble lead to Luke Walsh prodding the ball over the line. Soon after the professional side had two chances to score, but appeared more intent in walking the ball into the net. Evesham continued to defend well and went into the break just 1-0 down.
The second half continued in the same vein but this time with the visitors having a strong wind at their backs. They continued to create chances but good defending and also outstanding goalkeeping by Nathan Taylor kept the score down to 1-0 twenty minutes into the second half. It all changed with 25 minutes remaining when Regan Griffiths scored after some swift passing moves, ten minutes later the Crewe captain Joe Lynch finished well and on 80 minutes substitute Challis Johnson scored with a powerful shot from just inside the box.
The closest Evesham came to scoring was in the 89th minute when a free kick from Bradley Stalley was comfortably saved by the Crewe keeper Appleyard.
Evesham can be proud of the way they played keeping Crewe down to one goal for the first 65 minutes and a side who had drawn 0-0 at Leeds United Youth the Saturday before.
Attendance: 205
Evesham United: Taylor, Smith, Middleton, Heywood, Ballinger, Colman, Stalley, Lucas (Lewis), Whyley (Cavens), Clark, Wagstaff
Subs not used: Vose, Healy, Goodwin
