Evesham United 0 Yate Town 1
EVESHAM United’s Southern League Division One South & West season began in losing fashion against much-fancied Yate Town, but the Robins can count themselves unlucky to have taken nothing from a hard fought encounter on Saturday.
George Box’s late winner at a sun-baked Jubilee Stadium handed all three points to the visitors, but the Robins can take heart from an impressive display.
The winner arrived when the Bluebells substitute arrived unmarked to tuck away Alec Fiddes’ corner 13 minutes from time.
The opening 45 minutes was a cagey affair as defences dominated and there was little goalmouth action at both ends.
The best opportunity fell United’s way leading up to half time when defender Will Wellon diverted Nick Stanley’s corner just past a post.
Carl Brown got in a couple of early headers in the second half and, following a sweeping move down the right, Adam Mann blazed over as United worked hard to increase the tempo of the game.
Stanley, who was United’s most effective player, was in the thick of the action as he pulled his drive wide of the target and then Town keeper Martin Horsell made a good block with an outstretched leg to deny United skipper Matt Sysum.
Yate, who offered little as an attacking force all game, then shocked the home crowd by breaking away and scoring what turned out to be the winning goal on 77 minutes.
The visitors won a corner down the right and, from Feddes’ deep flag kick, Box swept in past Kevin Sawyer from close range.
United forced a succession of late corners but failed to register an equaliser. The closest Paul Collicutt’s side came was in stoppage time when Horsell saved low to his right to deny substitute Liam Harding a deserved leveller for the Red and Whites.
