Zamaretto League Premier Division
St Georges Lane, Worcester

Tuesday 23rd February 2010

Evesham United 0 v Leamington 1

Brakes just edged a closely fought contest with Evesham United at St Georges Lane to complete a league double over the side who pipped them to the Midland Division title in 2008. Although there had been snow across most of the Midlands during the afternoon and early evening, strangely there was none in Worcester, although the miserable conditions surely contributed to a disappointing crowd of 192.

The home side saw two early shots travel high over the goal, while Carl Pentney was forced to punch a free kick clear, and Mark Hands shot across the goalmouth. Both sides were largely cancelling each other out early on. Matt Lewis curled a shot wide after a clearing header dropped to him at the edge of the penalty area. Lewis had the best chance of the half when he was played through on goal, and he shrugged off a chasing defender, slipping a shot past Robins' keeper Nathan Vaughan, only to see the ball strike the outside of the right hand upright. The Evesham keeper had rather too much to say to the officials when decisions did not go the way of his side, and was eventually booked before the interval.

Luke Corbett powered a free kick inches over the bar, while Evesham replied with a similar effort from closer in, with the same result. Matt Lewis tried a shot from the edge of the box that had the sting taken out of it by a deflection, and Vaughan claimed easily. Marcus Palmer looked to have taken the ball wide of Carl Pentney on the left inside the area, as the Brakes keeper came off his line, but the angle was too tight for him and his shot struck the side netting.

Brakes relied on some vital last ditch challenges to keep Evesham at bay as they began to put pressure on again, but they were still well in this contest, and snatched the goal that proved to be the winner on 75 minutes. With the Evesham defenders back peddling, Matt Lewis slipped a pass sideways for Marcus Jackson to tear towards the area. He was adjudged to have been impeded, and with the free kick in a dangerous position in the centre, 25 yards out, Guy Sanders took a long run up and sent an absolute rocket of a shot into the back of the net, a slight deflection perhaps taking it past Nathan Vaughan, who saw it coming but was never going to keep it out.

New signing James McPike came on for his debut shortly out of the goal in place of Luke Corbett, who looked to have taken a knock, and showed some bright touches. Carl Pentney pushed out a drive from substitute Zac Costello in a crowded penalty area, as Brakes held firm. They had an excellent chance to try and add a second when Peter Faulds broke from midfield and headed towards the penalty area, but with one more defender to take on, he opted to find Matt Lewis rather than try a shot, and his rather weak shot was straight at Vaughan. Faulds was rather harshly booked for time wasting as he looked for an option from a throw in, but there was no more time for Evesham to grab an equaliser, and Leamington bounced back from their unfortunate reverse to league leaders Farnborough with a useful three points, another clean sheet and a sixth away win of the season.

Evesham United: Nathan Vaughan, Anthony Watson, Jamie Hyde, Danny Hodnett, Steve Hands (Michael Hayden, 25), Steve Lutz, Simon Fitter, Mark Hands, Rory Curtis (Marcus Palmer, 61), Joshua McKenzie (Zac Costello, 73), Kevin Spencer.

Subs not used: Richard Mace, James Cooper.

Leamington: Carl Pentney, Peter Faulds, James Husband, Scott Lycett, Guy Sanders [C], Gary Knight, Marcus Jackson, Stuart Herlihy, Matt Lewis, Luke Corbett (James McPike, 76), Richard Batchelor.

Subs not used: Adam Cooper, Lee Williams, Harry Harris, Charlton Davies.

Attendance: 192

Match Photos With thanks to Sally Ellis for the pics.

Paul Holleran tries to wear the 'gold and black'! (Sally)

Nathan Vaughan is hurried by Matt Lewis. (Sally)

Everyone gets ready for the kick. (Sally)

The Brakes fans tried to create an atmosphere. (Sally)

Guy prepares for one of his famous free kicks. (Sally)

Strong defence was needed soon after the goal. (Sally)

But the problem was safely cleared. (Sally)