Midland Floodlit Youth League Cup 3rd Round

Evesham United 3

Rugby Town 2

After Extra Time (1-1 at the end of 90 minutes)

Evesham United U18’s bounced back from recent results to record a thrilling extra time victory against a higher level Rugby Town team who play in the premier division of the Midland Floodlit League.

The game started with both teams exchanging chances, and an early yellow card for a Rugby defender saw a dangerous free kick for Evesham. Reece Walmsley saw his shot tipped over by the keeper. Less than a minute later it was the away side who took the lead as the central midfielder was allowed to run through the defence to score. The lead could have been added too but for a sharp save from Nathan Taylor. This remained the pattern for the rest of the first half, as Evesham created chances through Ed Petts, Tom Leonard and Brad Stalley, whilst Taylor made a couple of further saves.

In the second half, as Evesham pressed forward, Taylor was called upon to make a fantastic double save, and then straight away at the other end, a great cross from Sam Lucas was met with a bullet header from Harry Jacob which struck the post. As time ticked away, Evesham kept up the pressure and as the clock moved into injury time, Will Middleton remained calm as he broke though and tucked the ball in to the net, meaning the game went into extra time.

Leonard found the net in the first period of extra time, but this was ruled out for offside. Immediately afterwards a dangerous free kick was conceded and the Rugby number 8 punished Evesham as he hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner to restore their lead.

Another vital save by Taylor saw the score remain the same as Evesham then went in search of another equaliser. In the second period of extra time, Evesham’s superior fitness started to show, as they pushed forwards. With just 8 minutes to go Dan Tustin ran through and confidently struck the ball passed the keeper to make it 2-2. Minutes later he then struck the post after a cross from Johnny Robinson, and at that point it appeared that penalties would decide the outcome of the game. However it was Tustin who had the last word, when he again ran through and despite being held back was strong enough to complete the scoring and send the players, coaching staff and supporters home very happy.

1. Nathan Taylor

2. Tom Ravenhall

3. Will Middleton

4. Brad Stalley

5. Harry Jacob

6. Reece Walmsley

7. Dan Tustin

8. Conor Colman

9. Johny Robinson

10. Tom Leonard

11. Ed Petts

12. Sam Lucas

14. Ben Hunt

15. Charlie Smith

16. Nathan Lewis

17. Callum Marshall