Match Report & Pictures: Evesham Utd 0 vs Larkhall Athletic 3

Evesham’s Evo-Stik Southern South & West play-off semi-final with Larkhall Athletic proved something of an anti-climax for the home supporters after the visitors comfortably made it through to next Monday’s final with Stratford Town after seeing off an out-of-sorts United side at the Jubilee Stadium.  Larkhall who are in their first season in the Southern League after winning the Toolstation Western League Premier Division, never looked back after scoring three times in a one-sided first-half to end United’s impressive run of ten straight wins.  Paul Collicutt’s side could have no complaints about the final outcome and had it not been an impressive display by United keeper Kevin Sawyer, the final margin of victory for the Larks would have been much greater.

It started to go wrong for United as early as the 6^th minute when Linden Dovey clipped the heels of Tyler Sibbick in the box and Larkhall’s leading scorer got up to fire the visitors ahead from the penalty spot.  Moments later, Sawyer prevented Sibbick from scoring again when he made a terrific point-blank save to prevent the 26-goal striker from making it 2-0.  United threatened briefly when Ashley Edenborough planted a header on the roof of the net and then the same player fired just over after latching onto Jared Wilson’s threaded throughball.  But on 35 minutes Larkhall increased their lead, Sawyer made a terrific stop from Joe Tumelty and Robert Hobbs followed-up to bury the loose ball.  The game was as good as over for United five minutes before half-time when Dean Griffiths fired in number three past Sawyer after good work by Matt Thorne.  There was still time before the interval  for Sawyer to do the business again with another breathtaking stop to keep out Sibbick.

Sawyer: Impressed despite defeat

Larkhall were content to sit on their lead in the second half and restricted United to only a handful of half chances, Marcus Jackson struck a post and the hardworking Edenborough shot straight at Larks keeper Josh Barrington after being set-up by Wilson.  Larkhall, however, looked dangerous on the break forcing the overworked Sawyer to make more impressive saves in particular a flying stop from Hobbs and another full length stop from the dangerous Sibbick.  Evesham pressed in the closing stages for a consolation goal, Edenborough and Mann went close but it was too little too late for the below par Red and Whites.

Evesham United: Sawyer, Jackson, Harding (Wood 57), Sysum, Dovey, Lance Smith, Wilson (Knowles 76), Edenborough, Mann, Lee Smith (Washbourne 45)

Subs not used: Slack, Wellon

Pictures here by Stuart Purfield.

Referee: Mr M Russell (Bristol)

Attendance: 686