The curtain came down on Evesham`s disappointing season in the Calor League South & West after the Robins were held to a 1-1 draw by relegated Guildford City at the Jubilee Stadium.
With a strong wind behind them, Evesham dominated the first-half but went into the interval only one goal to the good, courtesy of Nathan Jackson`s first goal for the club. The United midfielder, however, blotted his copybook by getting himself sent-off seven minutes after half-time for a second bookable offence and from then on Evesham lost their shape and direction and
succumbed to a Guildford equaliser seventeen minutes from time.
Guildford went into the match bottom of the league and looked a poor side for most of the game and it was no surprise when Paul Collicutt`s men took a 16th minute lead. Lance Smith got clear and rounded keeper Antony Hall before unselfeshly finding Jackson who found the net despite the attention of three defenders on the goal-line. Evesham went on to outplay their visitors from Surrey for the rest of the half and on numerous occasions went within a whisker of extending their lead.
Elliot Kennedy`s near post header flew over and from Kennedy`s cross, Jared Wilson volleyed over from point-blank range. Leading scorer Smith also drove a couple of efforts wide with Hall beaten.
Playing against the elements in the second-half and with Jackson off the field, chances dried-up for United and Guildford sensed they could get something out of the game. They did just that on 73 minutes, when Nuno Pereia`s header found the net from Matt Oldring`s cross. Despite the equaliser, Guildford defended in numbers and got men behind the ball to try and preserve their first away draw of the season and they succeeded. Only James Bowen looked like unlocking the Guildford defence and when he did get clear after a mazy run, Hall was up to the task in the closing stages making a good block to deny the youngster on work experience from Cheltenham Town.
EVESHAM UNITED:
Barnfather, Tambling, Mansell, Powell, Wellon (Dovey 45), Sauntson, Wilson, Jackson, Smith (Brown 59), Kennedy (Evans 83), Bowen.
SUBS NOT USED: Hitchman, Vercesi
REFEREE: Mr M.Billingham (Stourbridge)
ATTENDANCE: 280
United wrap things up on Tuesday 6t h May, when the Robins take on Calor League Premier Division outfit Redditch United at Kidderminster Harriers FC in the final of the Worcestershire Senior Cup, kick-off 7-45pm.
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