Evesham put in an encouraging performance despite bowing out of the Worcestershire Senior Cup to National League North Kidderminster Harriers last Thursday. Two goals by Jordan Murphy and another from George Taylor handed the Aggborough outfit a showdown with rivals Redditch United in the final at Bromsgrove Sporting FC. United were again without a number of players but included Leon Jeanne on the substitutes bench, the experienced midfielder began his career at Queens Park Rangers and went on to play at Cardiff City, Newport County, Merthyr Tydfil and Weston-super-Mare among others.
United`s Lance Smith forced Jonno Brown into an early save but it was Taylor who fired the visitors ahead in the 12th minute with a simple tap-in after good work down the left by James Hancocks. Nick Stanley`s free-kick was deflected over for the hosts before a lapse of concentration on 22 minutes allowed Murphy to make it 2-0 tucking the ball beyond Kevin Sawyer into the bottom corner. Before half-time Smith again tested Brown who made an excellent block after the Robin`s striker had dispossessed George Forsyth.
A third goal by Harriers immediately after the interval put the game out of United`s reach, with Murphy finding the target for a second time after a well-timed run and shot past Sawyer. With 71 minutes on the clock, however, United squandered a golden opportunity to pull a goal back when Jeanne was upended in the box by Hancocks but Kiddy stopper Brown saved Stanley`s poorly struck spot-kick and the subsequent rebound. There were few opportunities after this at either end, although Jeanne sent over a couple of teasing crosses that were cleared and Jordan Tunnicliffe got in a good block as United finished the tie on the front foot.
UNITED:
Sawyer, Sheehan, Stanley, Turley, Wellon, Brown (Penfold 59), Bryan (Jeanne 30), Williams, Smith (Pearson 72), Fahy, Binns.
Subs not used: Prictor, Gilder
Referee: Mr C.Husband (Worcester)
Attendance; 161
