Despite leading at half-time, Evesham United are still searching for their first pre-season victory after going down 3-2 at home to Calor Gas Southern Premier Division Stourbridge. Two goals in the final ten minutes handed the visitors victory in a game Evesham deserved to get something out of.

After Robin`s keeper John Bateman had saved well from James Spray inside the opening 60 seconds, it was United that took a 4th minute lead. Henry Eze under pressure from Evesham`s Linden Dovey sent a back pass high over stopper Dean Coleman and into his own net.

Jared Wilson made a goal-line clearance to deny Spray before the Glassboys levelled on 26 minutes through Luke Benbow`s low drive into the bottom corner.

United hit back to regain the lead five minutes before the break with another Eze own goal. This time the former Evesham defender in attempting to head clear Dovey`s shot powered the ball past the flat footed Coleman.

Evesham continued to press in the second half. Following good work by the returning Neil Barnfield, Carl Brown screwed his shot just wide of Coleman`s upright and then from a cross by Dovey Matt Sysum volleyed over at the back post.

At the other end, Bateman produced good saves from Drew Canavan and dangerman Benbow. Evesham ,however, lost their shape in the closing stages following the departure of key defenders Sysum and Richard Mansell and Stourbridge took full advantage. First Sean Geddes scored from the penalty spot following Adam Millard`s clumsy challenge on Benbow and then with just four minutes to go hesitation at the back allowed Stourbridge substitute Reece Gardner a simple tap-in from Benbow`s cross.

EVESHAM UNITED:

Bateman, Wilson, Mansell, Richards, Sysum, Botfield, Jackson, Barnfield, Brown, Dovey, Rodrigues.

Subs: Williams, Millard, McGee, Powell, Loney, Brooks, Palmer and Tambling.

REFEREE: Mr S.Wales (Tewkesbury)

ATTENDANCE: 129


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