Evesham United 1-1 Paulton Rovers
So, we are underway, new season, new team, new hope & new aspirations.
As today’s game got underway, despite the first 5 minutes being end to end, the game had the feeling of a first game of the season. Both teams seemed to struggle at times to find to put together a string of passes.
In the 8th minute The Robins put together a good move down the left, Chilton’s cross was a powerful one which evaded his teammates, 6 minutes later Chilly got a shot away which was saved when Perry dived to his right to stop the low shot.
The visitors went straight down the other end, putting together some quick passing, the ball fell to the feet of a former Robin in the shape of Sloggett, his long range shot gave Reece very little chance as the ball found it’s way into the bottom corner of the net.
Some good link up play between Dodds & Reynolds gave the home fans some reasons to believe but, it was the visitors that appeared to be playing the more controlled football. Butcher picked up the ball in the centre circle, made an inspired run before his long-range shot pulled out a good save by Evesham’s new keeper.
A Lee Chilton corner in the 38th minute found the head of Brad Maslen-Jones whose header went just over the bar, a period of better football for the home side followed and was rewarded in first half injury time. Dave Reynolds appeared to rob the ball from the Paulton keeper after a long ball, followed by a superb turn and finish as the ball went in off the post.
Evesham were the better team immediately following the restart, in the first five minutes Chilton found Sangha on the edge of the box but, his shot was just wide. Quickly followed by a trademark break from Maslen-Jones before his 30-yard shot went just over the bar.
Joseph Perry in the visitor’s goal kept his side in the game when he came out on top in a one to one with Matty Dodds on 57 minutes. With Evesham looking the better side as the game went on the only real notable piece of football coming on 83 minutes when Pages shot went narrowly wide of the visitors post with goalkeeper looking beaten.
Half Time: 1-1
Attendance: 255
Sponsors Man Of The Match: Brad Maslen Jones
Evesham Utd: Francis, Roberts, Smikle, Paddock, Maslen-Jones, Cresswell (McGrath 61), Dodd, Bragoli, Reynolds (Magee 79), Chilton, Sangha (Page 73). Subs Not Used: O’Neill, Till.
Paulton Rovers: Perry, Harrison (Gay 55), Sen, Hitchings, Allan, Abraham, Sloggett (Moore 76), Symes, Sims-Burgess, Hillard, Butcher (Lock 88). Subs Not Used: Shorney, Bayment.
