As I am unable to go to Worcester City's FA Cup tie against Greenwich Borough tomorrow, I have decided to make the small journey to Evesham to see their team play against Bromley in their 4th Qualifying Round tie. When I moved back to Worcester 6 years ago, Evesham United were sharing and playing at the old St.Georges Lane home of Worcester City while they collected the necessary funding for their present stadium. During that season of 2008-9, Evesham experienced a great FA Cup run and reached the 1st Round for the only time in their history. I saw 2 of their wins that time round, so as they have the possibility of achieving this feat again today, it's too good an opportunity for me to miss this tie.
Their worthy opponents today are Bromley, who ply their trade 3 steps above them in the Non-League pyramid in the Vanarama Conference South division and are currently lying in 5th place. After a dodgy start to their League campaign, Evesham have moved up to 11th place in the Calor Southern League, South & West division.
I take the 11:10 am bus from the London Road, just round the corner to where I live. I have to get off at the town of Pershore as the bus terminates there. It gives me time to have a quick look round the town centre and I am even able to see that there is a match being played at Pershore Town's ground this morning. Probably one of their youth teams.
When I am boarding the Evesham bus 30 minutes later, there are 4 guys in front of me who I hear from their conversation are going to the match too. I think there is going to be a good sized crowd there this afternoon!
After a journey through the scenic villages of Fladbury and Charlton we drive in to Evesham after about half an hour. The weather is cloudy today with the odd sunny interval with some drizzle thrown in for good measure.
I have time to have a look round the town centre and have something to eat. I notice in the Riverside shopping centre that there are 7 shop units currently vacant, including the closure of the independent record store called 'Rapture'. Sad but a sign of the times. It also comes to my attention that there seem to be a lot of people speaking in eastern European accents. Maybe this is because they are agricultural workers in the Vale of Evesham?
Anyhow, back to the game and I have walked down over the newly improved bridge across the River Avon and make my down the Cheltenham Road, where at the bottom of this road lies the Jubilee Stadium. 15 minutes later and I am walking in to the ground. As it's only 2:20pm, there seems to be a good crowd already and when I go in to the club house, there is another sizeable crowd. I go to the club shop desk in the corner and buy an Evesham club enamel badge to add to my small collection.
While enjoying a pre-match cup of tea outside, I chat to another bloke from Worcester who is has travelled here today and we are both hoping that Worcester City can make it past Greenwich Borough tomorrow.
I make my way to the southern end of the ground and just before kick-off I note that all four sides of the ground are lined by spectators, a very welcome sight.
Evesham United are in their usual red and white striped shirts and Bromley are decked out in yellow shirts.
Evesham United are the first team on the attack but it's the visitors who score after 4 minutes with their first attack. It's scored by their No.4, Danny Waldren from close range.
Evesham United are immediately back on the offensive but find themselves up against the Bromley keeper, Seb Brown (ex AFC Wimbledon) who is in great form. He makes saves from Evesham forwards, Lance Smith and Ashley Edenborough. Later, the home team's right winger, Elliot Kennedy, cuts in from the right and goes past 2 defenders before having a shot saved.
Even though Evesham are having most of the play, Bromley are dangerous on the break.
Ashley Edenborough, equalises after 37 minutes. He has a shot blocked by a defender and from the resultant corner, he heads the ball in. This is surprising as the the tall central defensive duo of Rob Swaine and Jack Holland have been commanding in the air so far.
Near the end of the first half, Bromley's ex-Brentford midfielder, Moses Ademola, has a shot cleared off the line by defender Linden Dovey.
So, it's 1-1 at half time and everything to play for. It's announced that the attendance today is 811. That's about four times the usual home crowd and about 200+ on what I thought the attendance would be.
I think that Evesham United have played very well so far. Bromley certainly have some slick passing players but the hosts have showed plenty of grit and determination and in Edenborough have a quality player who will trouble most defences at this level.
So the match resumes and within the first minute, Evesham's lively midfielder , Carl Brown whips in a great shot from the right only to be foiled by a great athletic tip over by Seb Brown.
This seems to encourage Bromley who are now passing the ball very well. It soon results in them gaining a corner and it's that man Waldren again who scores with a glancing header after 49 minutes.
Both sides have more chances during this half but Evesham finish the game more strongly and have Bromley pinned back for long periods. Probably their best chance sees their skipper, Matt Sysum head just over the bar.
So for all their frantic efforts for a late equaliser, Evesham finish as the valiant losers in a very good cup tie and they certainly deserve the rapturous applause by their fans as they troop off the field.
So Bromley go through to the 1st Round and have been rewarded with a home tie against near neighbours Dartford Athletic, who are struggling in the Conference Premier.
Evesham United can feel rightly proud of their efforts today and with a bit more luck could have at least got a replay. I hope this helps galvanise their season and see them compete for a play-off place. Seb Brown though certainly was a major factor in their defeat and I can why he has been picked for the England C team in the past.
Match attendance: 811
Match entertainment: 7/10
Entrance fee: £9
Match programme: £2
No comments:
Post a Comment