The 1st Qualifying Round of The Buildbase FA Trophy saw Evesham United take on Biggleswade FC, interestingly they are one of three sides that carry the name of the Bedfordshire market town.
It did not take the home side long to make their mark on the game, in fact their first goal came in the first minute. Dan Tustin went into the Biggleswade box at pace only to be brought down and ‘The Robins’ were awarded a penalty. Aaron Basford scored from the spot with a confident strike wide of Tyler Josephs in the Biggleswade goal.
Basford linked up well with Tustin on 12 minutes, only to see his shot go just wide of the post. Basford was enjoying his best spell of the game when in the 16th minute he had a one on one with the keeper who pulled off the first of several excellent saves.
Evesham dominated the opening 20 minutes with the visitors only benefiting from the home sides odd loose pass, in fact the visitors first shot on goal came on 25 minutes when Alan Fleming’s shot sailed over the bar.
Despite having improved towards the end of the first half Biggleswade were unable to trouble ‘The Robins’ defence.
As the second half got underway it was Evesham playing the more attacking football Harry Franklin had an excellent strike saved by Josephs at full stretch in the Biggleswade goal. Franklin became provider 4 minutes later, an excellent cross from the right found Basford at the back post who headed the ball into the back of the net.
The second Evesham goal seemed to stir the visitors into life, substitute Holmes headed just wide in the 68th minute.
With the game now becoming end to end Franklin was fouled, the free kick taken by Horrell had the visiting keeper at full stretch for yet another superb save. With 79 minutes on the clock a superb long range shot from Ryan Inskip rattled the Evesham crossbar, Joseph Gauge was on hand to head in the rebound and give the visitors hope.
Just 3 minutes after getting back into the game Biggleswade’s George Bailey had the chance to level thing but, he saw his header go over the bar.
With just 3 minutes left of normal time Evesham created the last opportunity of the game. Josh Hunt broke down the centre before squaring the ball to Jamie Lucas whose shot was well saved, only for the ball to fall for Adam Mace to strike and have the ball cleared off the line.
The draw for the 2nd Qualifying Round of The Buildbase FA Trophy had already been made and ‘The Robins will now entertain Carlton Town of the Northern Premier League Division One South East (Step 4) on Saturday 17th October.
EUFC MoM: Aaron Basford
Attendance: 271
Evesham United: Clayton, Lymn, Johnson, Paddock, Staten, Sheehan©, Hayes (Horrell 61), Tustin, Hunt, Franklin (Lucas 75), Basford (Mace 82). Subs Not Used: Clarke, Rogers.
