Evesham United 2-1 Harefield United
The romance of the Emirates FA Cup stayed alive at a hot and humid Spiers & Hartwell Jubilee Stadium when, for the first time in a few seasons they were able to get past the preliminary round.
Evesham defeated Harefield United who earned the preliminary round tie with a 3-0 home victory against Lydney Town in the Extra Preliminary Round. The visitors are the oldest club in Middlesex founded in 1868, when Queen Victoria reigned. Last season ‘The Hares’ were Spartan South Midlands Football League Division One champions, winning promotion to the league’s Premier Division.
‘The Robins’ booked their place in the thanks to a ‘Man of the Match’ winning brace of goals from Kai Tonge on his home debut.
The home side showed their intentions as early as the 2nd minute when Tonge broke down the left, his cross finding Matty Dodd who couldn’t quite get a proper connection on the ball. Dodd turned provider on 10 minutes with a cross from the by-line but was unable to find another Robin. With play fairly even the first real chance fell to Evesham captain Danny Bragoli, his shot from the edge of the box tipped over the bar by Reece Mallet in the visitor’s goal.
In the 23rd minute Kai Tonge picked up the ball on the halfway line, then a pacey run saw him arrive in the Harefield box, a superb strike gave the keeper no chance and Evesham a precious lead.
Bragoli had another strike at goal in the 27th, then an excellent move form a Dodds throw found Cresswell who chested the ball into the path of Lee ‘Chilly’ Chilton, his shot going just over the bar.
As the second half got underway it was Harefield who showed they had not come for a day out, an excellent cross from Harefield’s Ryan Wharton found the head of his team mate Lenny Farhall who’s well placed header was turned round the post by Bristol City loanee keeper Lochie Robertson in the Robins goal.
With just 7 minutes on the second half clock another individual run by Tonge and an equally superb strike doubled Evesham’s lead. The home side had the ball in the net again on 66 minutes but, it was ruled to be offside.
No further reward came for Evesham despite playing the more controlled football. A very nervous last 4 minutes and 5 minutes time added on ensued following Samuel Shaw’s unstoppable penalty in the 86th minute.
Half Time: 1-0
Attendance: 270
Sponsors Man Of The Match: Kai Tonge
Evesham Utd: Robertson, Roberts, Smikle, Paddock, Maslen-Jones, McGrath, Dodd (Reynolds 61), Bragoli, Tonge 2 (Morrison 56), Chilton, Cresswell (O’Neill 56). Subs Not Used: Sangha, Till.
Man Of The Match: Kai Tonge
