EVESHAM FOILED BY BROMLEY'S AGILE KEEPER

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. 

                        (Evesham's Elliot Kennedy cutting in from the right wing)

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.

       ( Danny Waldren turns to salute the Bromley fans after scoring his second goal)

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

WORCESTER GO CLOSE TO CUP GLORY

Today is FA Cup, 4th Qualifying Round day! All the teams taking part are just 90 minutes away from the 1st Round draw.

I have decided to watch my home club's game against Lincoln City, at their temporary home at Kidderminster's ground of Aggborough. It will be the first time that I have seen them this season and I'm looking forward to it as we have plenty of new faces in the team. Although we are struggling in the League, our defence is functioning well and our problem (as usual) is scoring enough goals.

I take the train to 'Kiddy' and as soon as I reach the station I walk the few yards to the other train station, where the Severn Valley Railway starts. It's always an interesting visit and I have a quick look in the shop where they sell railway memorabilia.

I then have a look round the town and then get to the ground with 20 minutes to go and take my place in the North Stand. The Lincoln fans are in the stand opposite and the rest of the Worcester fans are sat in the western side of the ground.

Worcester take to the field in their blue & white striped shirts while Lincoln City are in their away strip of green & white. Lincoln from the Conference Premier League had played here in a 1-4 defeat against Kidderminster the previous Saturday, so I'm hoping their confidence is not that good as a result.

( Worcester's No.3 Ellis Deeney, battles for possession watched by captain Tom Thorley)

It's soon apparent that Worcester are not overawed by their higher ranked opponents. Danny Glover goes close with an early header and the pace of Daniel Nti and especially loan player, winger Niall Thompson are causing Lincoln problems.

It's a full bloodied cup tie and twice Worcester's defender, Graham Hutchinson has to receive treatment after heavy aerial clashes. 

Lincoln cause the Worcester defence some problems too and our veteran keeper, 36 year old Jose Veiga, has to make some smart saves.

When half-time arrives I am more hopeful of a good result for Worcester than I was at the start.

During the interval, it's announced that there is to be an important meeting of the Supporters Club next month who are submitting their plans for the proposed new stadium. It's also announced that today's attendance of 1,019 is the club's biggest so far this season.

In the second half, Worcester take the lead on 57 minutes when Niall Thompson shoots across the goal and substitute, Aaron Williams makes sure by tucking the ball in to the net by the far post.

   
          (The Worcester players celebrate their goal in front of their fans) 
     
Lincoln are stung in to action and Jose Veiga makes some good saves but after 77 minutes the visitor's pressure pays off with Andy Boyce shooting in from close range after a corner is not cleared.

             (Niall Thompson's run is halted by this Lincoln defender)

For the rest of the match though Worcester step up the pressure on the Lincoln goal but the visitor's hold firm for a deserved draw.

               (Andy Boyce heads clear from this late Worcester attack)

So Worcester go to Sincil Bank for Tuesday's replay. It will be tough but with a bit of luck not an impossible task for us, as I think on this evidence our defence are up to the task.

I was impressed with Worcester's performance today and I think manager Carl Heeley is building the team on the right lines, considering the financial constraints he and his team are having to work within.