Evesham failed to take advantage of a weather hit programme in the Evo-Stik Southern South & West Division by drawing 1-1 with mid-table North Leigh. Because of a heavy overnight frost only three games survived in the division and it was a disappointing outcome for the 322 United fans who braved the cold weather to witness their side dominate most of the game but fail to deliver in the final third. Had the contest been decided on possession and chances, United would have won comfortably but unfortunately it`s goals that count and United will be kicking themselves for not making it four wins in a row against John Brough`s side. For the third game running United boss Paul Collicutt kept faith with the same starting eleven with Garyn Preen playing his penultimate game before returning to National League South side Hungerford Town following his loan move to the Jubilee Stadium.
Preen scores equaliser
In an even opening the outstanding Preen shot over and had his drive saved by Oxford United loanee Manny Ogboola, while at the opposite end Kevin Sawyer came to United`s rescue by blocking with his feet to keep out Morgan Williams. But on 17 minutes Jamie Cook`s ball in from the right found Lance Williams who swept the ball home beyond Sawyer to give the Millers` a shock 1-0 lead. United almost levelled in their next attack with Michael Hopkins clearing Nick Stanley`s header off the line and after ping-pong in the North Leigh box youngster Archie Haskayne brushed the visitor`s crossbar with Agboola clutching thin air. The hardworking Adam Mann was unable to force the ball over the line following a goalmouth scramble, Agboola got down well to save from Haskayne and Liam Harding directed a header just over as United continued on the front foot. But in the last action of the first-half, United`s equaliser finally arrived when top scorer Lance Smith who rejected a move to Redditch United last week, did all the spade work before supplying Preen who drilled a superb finish past Agboola into the bottom corner.
