The Buildbase FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round

Evesham United 2-0 Carlton Town

The Robins returned to cup duty this time in the Second Qualifying Round of The Buildbase FA Trophy, their fourth cup game in 25 days. On this occasion their opponents were Carlton Town from East Nottingham, the side who are known as ‘The Millers’ play their football in The Northern Premier League Division One South East.

It was very obvious to the 269 strong crowd from the start that both sides would be trying to play the game in the right way, with the early exchanges seeing some good passing and movement from both visitors and hosts alike.

With 7 minutes on the clock an Aaron Basford corner found the head of Ryan Paddock, his goalward header was scrambled off a very crowded line. The visitors attacked on 15 minutes, despite having men over in the box they were unable to convert their opportunity.

Paddock put Evesham ahead

A couple of corners for ‘The Robins’ the first being headed to safety over his own bar by Dan Brown, the second from Aaron Basford was headed down by Harry Franklin and fired home by Ryan Paddock giving Evesham the lead with just 18 minutes gone.

The visitors were not going to sit back, they kept pushing but were reduced to long range efforts by a resolute Evesham defence. The Millers Aaron Opoku saw his shot from outside the box clear the bar by some distance. A rare Paddock error allowed the visitors a chance but, Lewis Clayton was on hand to deny them with a superb save at full stretch.

Evesham’s Jordan Lymn then went on one of what have become his trademark runs, breaking through Carlton’s midfield at pace eventually striking a powerful shot past the outstretched Jack Steggles in the visitors goal, much to the joy of the home fans.

 

Lymn added a second

As the first half was ticking on Clayton in the Evesham goal was called into action again making another excellent save on 41 minutes, this time he tipped a superb Sam Whitton strike over the bar to deny the visitors on what was quite possibly their best chance if the first half.

A Jamie Clarke cross found Hunt in the visitor’s box but, he was unable to get an effective touch in the 50th minute. With the play being fairly even between two well-matched sides the next real opportunity fell to Carlton Town’s Whitton, with a well struck shot again saved by Clayton, this time with his feet.

Yet again the visitors were reduced to some long-range efforts. A long diagonal ball from Jordan Staten found Lymn whose well placed header had Steggles at full stretch in ‘The Millers’ goal to deny him.

The home fans showed their appreciation as both teams left the pitch, clapping both sides off the park. The Robins will now be in the hat for the third qualifying round, thanks to some superb defending and another excellent performance by Evesham’s stopper Lewis Clayton.

Clayton: Series of fine saves

EUFC MoM: Jordan Lymn

Attendance: 269

Evesham United: Clayton, Staten (Johnson 82), Mace, Williams©, Paddock, Sheehan, Franklin, Lymn, Hunt, Clarke (Lucas 69), Basford (Hayes 69). Subs Not Used: Heywood, Horrell