EVESHAM United’s players will have one last chance to stake a claim for the opening match of the new season when they face Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday in their final friendly.
Manager Paul Collicuutt has run the rule over the squad in the last two warm-up matches, losing 2-1 at Alvechurch last Friday and drawing 2-2 against Didcot Town on Wednesday night at the Jubilee Stadium.
The Robins head to last term’s Midland League Premier Division champions Sporting tomorrow, looking to settle on the starting XI to kick off next Saturday’s Evo-Stik Southern Division One South opener away to Melksham Town.
The Robins’ ranks have been boosted by summer signing Joe Tumelty making his bow after injury had interrupted his pre-season. The former Hereford, Frome and Cinderford creative midfielder had been coming back from a groin operation and featured at Alvechurch.
Evesham will also decide on whether former Derby player Cain Thomas will feature after linking up in pre-season after a spell at Cheltenham Town.
Collicutt included 20 players against both Didcot and Alvechurch.
On Wednesday, Marley Thomas twice fired Evesham ahead against Didcot, only for the visitors to peg them back.
Thomas opened the scoring from close-range on 16 minutes following an assist from Stephen Davies but Felipe Barcelos levelled from the penalty spot, despite Robins keeper Harvey Rivers getting a hand to the spot-kick.
Thomas added a second six minutes before half-time, racing onto a ball over the top from Nick Hancock. The second half was an even, entertaining affair with chances for both sides but Barcelos set up the equaliser for Matty Woodley to make it 2-2 with ten minutes left.
Last Friday, Evesham went down to a late second-half goal at Alvechurch, who will make their bow at Step Three in the new Southern Premier Central.
Luke Yates gave the Church the lead, slotting home after Kieron Cook had rounded keeper Rivers, but summer recruit Sean Brain levelled just before half-time.
The second half was evenly matched, with Stephen Davies firing wide from the Robins’ best chance, but former Robin Mitch Botfield netted the winner, slotting home at the second attempt after his first effort had been blocked.
Evesham have tweaked their fixture list by bringing forward their away league fixture against Slimbridge to Tuesday, September 12.
The match had been initially arranged for Saturday September 29 but Evesham are in FA Trophy action that day when they entertain Moneyfields in an extra preliminary round tie.
n The Robins’ under-18s powered to a 6-0 friendly win at home to Bishops Cleeve on Monday, courtesy of goals from Connor Wagstaff, Matt Brookes, Denis Whiteman, Tom Allcock.
The youngsters being their campaign in the Midland Floodlit Youth League Premier Division South away to Halesowen Town next Wednesday.