This Buildbase FA Trophy fixture was the second time the teams had met in the last 12 days, as a result of this both managers had a good idea how their opponents were going to set up and play. Despite this both teams created chances in the first half with neither able to take control of the game. The 236 strong crowd did not have to wait too long to see the first goalscoring opportunity. In the 5th minute Evesham striker Peel broke into the box but was unable to get his shot away or find another Evesham shirt.
Cirencester’s first chance came soon after when a poor ball out by Sawyer was picked up and taken back into ‘The Robins’ box, the Evesham keeper was quickly able to make amends with a good save at the near post. It was Peel’s twisting and turning in the Cirencester box that gave him enough space to shoot, but the shot hit Stoddard in the back. Cirencester then came into the game with their best spell of the first 45 minutes but were not able to breach the Evesham defence. It was then Evesham’s turn to take control of the game with Mann, Gray & Brown all going close, a fairly lively first half came to a close with both sides level at 0-0.
The second 45 started with a substitution for the home side, Haskayne who had picked up a knock in the first half was replaced by Carl Brown. Having started the second half as the brightest of the to sides it came as a shock when Cirencester went behind on 52 minutes, Peel chested down a ball from Fahy for Lewis Powell to strike, his shot gave the keeper no chance and the Robins had their noses in front. As Evesham failed to capitalise on their chances it was only a matter of time before The Centurions were able to get back into the game, they took their chance when Evesham were unable to clear the ball from their defence, Whitehead capitalised to bring the visitors level.
The next ten minutes were ones to forget for Evesham, with Cirencester’s Bennett scoring a brace in those 10 minutes, the first was a shot from outside the box which went under Evesham keeper Sawyer’s body and in. Bennett’s second took a deflection off Odiero at an angle to the goal and straight in. Powell got his second goal in the final minute with a looping header that beat Cirencester keeper Wieczorek. Sadly it was not to be enough and ‘The Centurions’ held on to secure their place in the next round at Paulton Rovers.
Evesham Utd: Sawyer, Dovey, Odiero, Haskayne (Brown 45), M Williams, Liddiard, Gray, Mann, Peel (Sheehan 56), Powell, Fahy (Binns 79). Subs not used: A Williams, Bryan
Cirencester Town: Wieczorek, Christopher, Jones, Mortimer-Jones (Pook 64), Stoddard, Lewis, Spalding, Connolly, Whitehead, Horrell, Bennett. Subs not used: Walsh, Coupe,
Goals: Powell 52 minutes, Whitehead 65, Bennett 75 & 77 minutes, Powell 90+1
Attendance: 236
