‘The Robins’ hopes of an Emirates FA Cup run were dashed when they lost 2-0 in this year’s 1st qualifying round at The Spiers & Hartwell Jubilee Stadium.
This game was an all BetVictor Southern League tie between Evesham United from Division One South & Dorchester Town from Premier South.
For long periods of the game it was difficult to distinguish which side was from which division. It was the home side that started the game the strongest with the game being played at a quick tempo, with what is becoming their trademark passing game allowing them to dominate in the first 10 minutes. Jordon Sangha shot in the 3rd minute was saved by Hutchings in the Dorchester goal, with the keeper at full stretch to his right to keep the ball out.
As the first half ticked on Dorchester introduced more purpose to their play, on 20 minutes they had their first shot on goal. Cameron Sangster’s shot through a crowded goal area was saved by Evesham keeper Lockie Robertson. Immediately the home side went up the other end only for Sangha’s shot to go wide of the post. The it was the turn of ‘The Magpies’ again, Sangster having another strike but this time his shot was wide of the goal.
On the half hour the visitors Jack Hoey was foiled thanks to some excellent defending by Ryan Paddock. A nice passing move involving Brad Maslen-Jones & Taylor Morrison allowed Sangha another chance but, this time his shot was blocked.
It was Dorchester that broke the deadlock on 41 minutes through a well worked set piece, a superb corner from Charlie Davis found the head of Thomas Bath whose strong header gave the Evesham keeper no chance and gave the visitors the lead, a lead they took into half time.
The second half started fairly evenly with very little to choose between the two sides. 56 minutes gone and the busy Dorchester player Sangster had his shot saved. On the hour Sangha saw shot go over the bar, another chance came Evesham’s way with 67 gone when Chilton’s low cross went across the visitor’s goal, unable to find a red & white shirt.
Just when Dorchester seemed to be content to just keep the ball moving from side to side, Evesham’s finest chance of the game came when an absolute rocket strike from Jordon Sangha from 30 yards had the Dorset keeper beaten, sadly it struck the post and came straight back into play.
In the final minute of normal time, Dorchester hit ‘The Robins’ on the break and with the home side unable to clear the ball, Thomas Bath’s shot found the back of the net giving him his second goal and Dorchester a place in the hat for Monday’s 2nd qualifying round draw.
Half Time: 0-1
Attendance: 320
Evesham Utd: Robertson, Roberts, Morrison, Paddock, Maslen-Jones, Cresswell (O’Neill 64), Smikle (Page 51), Bragoli (Magee 64), Tonge, Chilton, Sangha. Subs Not Used: Dodd, Reynolds, Francis.
