Match Report & Pictures: Evesham Utd 1 vs Redditch Utd 0

Evesham claimed the bragging rights over county rivals Redditch United with a thoroughly deserved victory in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy. Nick Stanley`s super-strike 20 minutes from time was enough to seperate the two sides and extend Evesham`s winning run to three matches. Redditch arrived at the Jubilee Stadium riding high in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division and went into the game as red-hot favourites, but United with eight goals and six points in their last two outings were looking to cause an upset as they did against the Red`s in the FA Cup last season. Loanee Louis McGrory was refused permission by Forest Green Rovers to play and so Sean Wood came into United`s midfield for the only change to the side that battered Mangotsfield 4-1 away in midweek.

The first half was low key with defences on top and most of the play confined to midfield. Matt Sysum did send an early header over for the hosts and good moves down the left involving Clayton Green and Stanley ended with Ashley Williams and Lance Smith pulling shots wide. The Red`s best spell arrived midway through when the lively front pairing of Luke Shearer and leading scorer Danny Dubidat both dragged the ball wide of a post when handily placed. But it was no surprise the half finished goalless with goalkeepers at both ends having little to do.

 

Redditch won a free-kick early in the second half, when Dubidat`s curler looked to be going in but Evesham stopper Kevin Sawyer produced a top-notch save to push the ball behind for a fruitless corner. After this the rest of the tie belonged to Evesham. Sawyer`s huge clearance ended with Jose Veiga saving low down from Smith and then Liam Harding`s deflected header looped agonisingly over. The Robins, though, were not to be denied a famous victory thanks to Stanley`s winning goal in the 70th minute. Sean Wood`s flag-kick on the right wasn`t properly defended leaving the talented Stanley to pounce on the edge of the box and beat Veiga with an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net. Surprisingly, an expected Redditch onslaught in search of an equaliser never came about, Liam McDonald`s side created no meaningful openings and it was United who continued to play with a swagger in the autumn sunshine. Smith unleashed a shot that was saved and shortly afterwards the United frontman was unable to get a touch in front of goal after Linden Dovey`s superb run and cross. Despite over six minutes of stoppage-time, there were no further alarms for the Red and Whites who rightly take their place in the Second Qualifying Round draw.

EVESHAM UNITED:
Sawyer, Dovey, Stanley, Williams (Harding 62), Sysum, Wellon, Brown, Wood, Mann, Smith, Green.
Subs not used: Sloggett, Wilson, Binns

REFEREE: Mr S.Eagland (Lichfield)

ATTENDANCE: 302