Evesham ended a topsy turvy pre-season on a winning note scoring twice in each half to beat Midland League Premier Division Westfields at the Jubilee Stadium.
It was a welcome confidence booster for United ahead of this Saturday`s tough looking league opener at home against much fancied Yate Town. Winger George Washbourne had a field day down the left for Paul Collicutt`s side chipping in with a couple of goals and giving the Westfields defence the runaround all evening.
The visitors who paraded four former Evesham players in their starting line-up, had a let-off early doors when Lee Smith`s goalbound shot struck United old boy Michael Tambling on the line before going behind for a fruitless corner. Further chances fell to Nick Stanley(twice), Lance Smith and Lee Smith but were not taken, while at the opposite end Aiden Thomas in a breakaway for Westfields, forced an excellent full length save out of Kevin Sawyer. The breakthrough, however, finally arrived on 22 minutes when the impressive Stanley netted with a trademark 25 yarder past the diving Jon Hopkins. Skipper Matt Sysum planted a powerful header against a post before Washbourne made it 2-0 leading up to half-time with a screamer that curled into the top corner beyond the helpless Hopkins.
Washbourne bagged brace
It became 3-0 soon after the re-start when Washbourne got on the scoresheet for a second time finishing off a fine move with a well placed drive low to Hopkin`s left. More enterprising play resulted in United`s fourth and final goal on 62 minutes when the lively Lee Smith made no mistake with an accomplished finish after weaving his magic to beat several defenders inside the penalty box. Former Evesham favourite Marcus Palmer squandered a good opportunity of pulling a goal back for Westfields after Sawyer had saved well to deny Mark Burgess but there were no further alarms for United who went on to cruise to a deserved victory before the serious stuff starts this weekend.
EVESHAM UNITED: Sawyer, Wilson, Wellon, Williams (Wood 63), Sysum (Harding 58), Dovey, Lee Smith (Green 63), Stanley (Jackson 63/ Lee Smith 72), Lance Smith (Mann 45), Brown (Slack 53), Washbourne.
SUB NOT USED: Fishwick
REFEREE: Mr A. Berrow
ATTENDANCE: 113
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