Evesham United 0 Worcester City 1

7.30 Kick- Off. Spiers and Hartwell Stadium

Worcester City maintained a winning habit in the team’s penultimate pre-season friendly.

The match began as it was to continue, both teams looking to take charge of the game and seeking to establish their attacking intent. It was clear from the off that Evesham were not to be humbled by their opposition. Their first attack resulted in a dangerous free kick just outside of the area, which was well absorbed by Worcester’s wall.

In the early stages, Worcester’s attack looked the more fluid and posed a bigger threat. Both teams squandered possession easily however and took their time to gain a rhythm and settle into the game, allowing much of the first half to pass, with nothing to write home about.

Evesham were keen to employ the tactic of hitting Worcester on the counter, but they were equal to it. The defence looked organised in making up the yards to absorb this threat.

A well worked short corner allowed Richard Munday to rise and come close with a header, giving Worcester and added momentum with 20 left to go in the half.

In a few minutes of inspired individual play, George Williams whipped in a testing cross, before beautiful striking an effort across goal, just evading the top corner.

Worcester continued to look for an opening before half time. Danny Glover was sliced down outside the area but Thorley did little with the free-kick. Another set-piece was awarded in a similar area but City again failed to test the Keeper.

As the interval beckoned it was Evesham who were to produce the best effort, as yet in the game. A dubious free kick was awarded around 20 yards out and Mitchell Botfield rattled the bar.

Some stern tackles were exchanged, before on the stroke of half time it was Worcester who were to go in at the break with an advantage. A pass down the centre of the field by Thorley, allowed Ethan Moore to slot home a calm finish. Perhaps a fitting 0-1 score line to indicate how Worcester edged the first half.

Worcester began the second half with the momentum they had established at the end of the first. Daniel Nti showed his strength in winning the ball under the pressure of two Evesham defenders and got off a shot which was not far wide.

It was not to stay this way however, Evesham regained their foothold in the game. George Williams was on hand to clear off the line, before the best was brought out of goalkeeper Matt Sargeant who moved well to his left to quell a firm strike from Evesham’s Carl Brown.

It was Williams again minutes later, who was instrumental to snuffing out Evesham attacks at the death, with a well-timed block tackle.

Evesham were to be frustrated once more, as an effort ricocheted off the inside of the post and somehow found its way to safety.

Worcester had defended well when it mattered most; Graham Hutchinson made another crucial block, leaving Evesham to once again rue their luck.

With the clock ticking away Evesham were granted with undoubtedly their best chance of the game. A perfect through ball met by an impressive turn of pace by Carl Brown, left him one on one with Sargeant. Much to the dismay of the home support the ball trickled agonisingly wide.

This seemed to mark the end of an Evesham flurry and Worcester were to have a few half chances of their own in the closing stages. Nti again showcasing his strength to carve out a shot on goal. Substitute Danny Williams had not been far wide with an earlier effort and his tenacious style of play, did seem to cause Evesham problems on the wing.

The last significant act of the game fell to Worcester in the form of a free kick. Tom Thorley teed up the ball to the back post, but it drifted over the oncoming City runners who could not capitalise.

Evesham proved a tough test for Worcester. Carl Heely believed the nature of the game proved the team’s work ethic.

“Everyone is working incredibly hard, we can ride our luck and make a few mistakes now whilst it doesn’t mean anything”

“We’ve got three training sessions left and the game on Saturday. I’ve got no preconceived ideas, the players in the line-up for the Altrincham game will be the ones who deserve to be there”

Teams:

Worcester City: D. Chamberlain (M. Sargeant 45), G Williams, E. Deeney (C.Flanagan 45), T. Thorley, G Hutchison, R. Munday (A. Walker 58), E. Moore (D. Williams 45), Turner, Nti, Glover, A Williams (M.Nelson 61). Unused Subs: S. Kahn
Evesham United: J. Bateman, M. Jackson, J. Wilson, M. Richards (Rhodes 45), M. Sysum, M. Botfield, C. Brown, N. Barnfield (J. Gould 80), M. Palmer (T. John 64), L .Dovey, M. Tambling (A Rodrigues 64). Unused Subs : T. Clarke, M. McGee.
Officials
Referee: Derek Eaton
Assistants: B.Duries and S.Wales.

Worcester City FC Match Day Centre - Kelly Holliday