It didn’t take the visitors too long to show they meant business, with their first shot coming with the game just 30 seconds old, Jamie Bird struck the ball form the edge of the 18-yard box, his on-target shot was easily saved by Andy Hannah in the Evesham goal.
Bristol dominated the first 5 minutes seemingly going on all out attack, then having weathered their opponents up tempo start ‘The Robins’ slowly played their way into the game. Both sides seemed to be playing a fairly physical game which was giving the referee plenty to do, a task that he was up to for majority of the time.
The 214 strong crowd had to wait until half way through the first half before seeing another goalscoring opportunity, it came the way of the visitors when a shot from inside a very crowded box struck the base of the post before being cleared.
Evesham the dominated the play, most of which was being played in the Bristol Manor Farm half of the pitch. They got fair reward for the efforts in the 33rd minute, Shane Anson got on the end of a well taken Adam Page corner and headed the ball into the net, much to the delight of the home supporters. The hosts had another chance just 5 minutes later when Kane Simpson had a one on one with Bristol goalkeeper Ben John, the latter just managing to hold onto the ball.
As half time approached Evesham looked to be taking their 1 goal lead into the break, the only negative being Will Tunnicliff having to leave the pitch on a stretcher with just 1 minute of the first half remaining.
This time it was Evesham that started the half the better, with the visiting keeper making a save from Kane Simpson in the first minute, then came a superb 20-yard free kick from Adam Page which seemed to skim across the ‘Portwaymens’ crossbar.
Bristol Manor Farm were then awarded a penalty, it appeared to be the first of 2 very soft second half penalties, Lewis Bamford seemed to fall over Hancock who was lay on the pitch. Owen Howe then put the ball powerfully into net from the spot, despite Andy Hannah getting his hands on it.
With the game very evenly poised Page sent in another quality cross, only for Evesham’s Sidibe to see his header cleared off the line. In the 72nd minute the home sides defence were caught napping, when Jordan Rogers squared the ball to Owen Howe who tapped in his and Bristol’s second goal.
With both physios having to attend players on several occasions during the second half a large chunk of injury time was inevitable, 6 minutes to be exact. Next came a second soft penalty this time Bristol defender Jamie Turner was adjudged to have brought down Joe Turley. Kane Simpson made no mistake and fired the ball into the visitor’s goal, much to the disappointment of the visiting fans.
On reflection honours even was a fair result, despite both teams having created chances to have taken all 3 points.
EUFCSC MoM: Shane Anson
Attendance: 214
Evesham United: Hannah, Dovey© (Harding 68), Tunnicliff (Williams 44), Turley, Anson, Wellon, Sidibe (Thomas 55), Hancock, Kane Simpson, Davies, Page. Subs Not Used: Brown, Kye Simpson.
