EVESHAM United are still without a home victory this Southern League Division One South & West season after producing a disjoined display in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against North Leigh at the Jubilee Stadium.
The Robins are without a league victory in four attempts at their Jubilee Stadium headquarters but it is a different story for Paul Collicutt’s side on the road, as they are unbeaten in five league games on their travels.
Key players Marcus Jackson, Linden Dovey and striker Ashley Edenborough were all absent in an attempt to recover from injury in time for United’s important FA Cup second qualifying round tie at Southern League Premier Division outfit Histon on Saturday, when the sides will do battle for a precious £4,500 prize money.
North Leigh started the better and should have taken an early lead when Morgan Williams got clear but pulled his shot wide with only home keeper Kevin Sawyer to beat.
Soon afterwards, North Leigh were rewarded for a positive start by taking a 19th minute lead. Will Wellon made a clumsy challenge on the edge of the box and Stuart Hole stepped up to give Sawyer no chance with a well struck free kick.
The lead lasted until two minutes before half time when Aaron Drake got on the end of George Washbourne’s free kick to head home the equaliser beyond Millers keeper Matt Bulman.
Sloppy defending allowed North Leigh to regain the lead just past the hour mark when Callum McNish accepted the gift with a simple finish from close range.
United upped their game after this and Washbourne saw his drive deflected over and skipper Matt Sysum’s header flew just wide from Lewis Binns’ corner.
The equaliser, however, duly arrived with nine minutes left, when Cheltenham Town loanee Harry Williams made no mistake with a first-time finish after good work by Carl Brown down the left.
United threw everything at the visitors in search of a winner and Bulman made excellent saves to deny Sysum and Washbourne but, with the last kick of the game, the woodwork denied North Leigh a dramatic last-gasp goal when McNish thumped a shot against a post just as the final whistle was about to blow.
Should an FA Cup replay be required, it will take place at the Jubilee Stadium on Tuesday.
The mid-table Robins’ next league game is at home to Swindon Supermarine on October 4.
Minibus service for fans
EVESHAM United Supporters Club are operating a free of charge matchday return minibus service from Evesham High Street to the Jubilee Stadium for all home games.
Pick-up points are the Lidl store in Port Street at 1.50pm (midweek 6.50pm), Co-op opposite the Post Office at 2pm (midweek 7pm) and Tesco Express, Cheltenham Road, at 2.05pm on Saturdays (midweek 7.05pm). The service will return to the same locations after the game.
An extension of the service will be made if sufficient interest is shown from residents of Hampton. Any queries should be directed to Doug on 07955 665819.