Football League newcomers Cheltenham Town proved too strong for United with Gary Johnson`s side running out comfortable 5-1 winners in Tuesday`s pre-season friendly at the Jubilee Stadium. As expected, the full-timers dominated throughout but a Carl Brown goal in an improved second half by United gave the final scoreline some respectability as far as the home fans were concerned.
Early on United skipper Matt Sysum sent a header wide at the back post from Nick Stanley`s corner, but on 10 minutes Cheltenham`s star striker Danny Wright glanced home Billy Water`s cross to edge the visitors in front. Eight minutes later, James Dayton made it 2-0 firing home past home keeper Kevin Sawyer. The Evesham stopper then showed his class with a terrific point-blank save to keep out the impressive Waters. At the opposite end, United`s top scorer last season Adam Mann dispossessed Danny Parslow and his deflected shot was safely gathered by Calum Kitscha. The Town keeper comfortably held Sysum`s header before Waters increased the visitors lead to 3-0, finding the back of the net via an upright seven minutes before the break.
Brown scored United’s goal
Soon after the re-start it became 4-0 courtesy of Dan Holman`s precise finish after being sent clear by the impressive Amari Morgan-Smith. Evesham then enjoyed their best spell in the game and Brown pulled a goal back on 59 minutes after a neat build-up play down the left. United then suffered a double-blow losing substitutes Liam Harding and Jacob Sloggett in quick succession due to injury. Sam Gilder who replaced Sawyer between the sticks at half-time, made good saves low down from James Jennings and Harry Pell. But was beaten three minutes from time when Sysum upended Morgan-Smith in the box and the giant striker got up to complete the scoring from the penalty spot.
UNITED:
Sawyer (Gilder 45), Dovey, Green (Brown 45), Turley (Harding 58, Turley 62), Sysum, Wellon, Bryan (Binns 58), Williams (Sheehan 45), Mann, Stanley, Kennedy (Sloggett 58, Kennedy 64).
Referee: Mr S.Oakey (Cheltenham)
Attendance: 491
