FOOTBALL League newcomers Cheltenham Town proved too strong for Evesham United as they won 5-1 in Tuesday’s friendly at the Jubilee Stadium.
As expected, Gary Johnson’s full-time side dominated the match, but a Carl Brown goal in an improved second half by United gave the final scoreline some respectability as far as the home fans were concerned.
Early on United skipper Matt Sysum sent a header wide at the back post from Nick Stanley’s corner, but on ten minutes Cheltenham’s star striker Danny Wright glanced home Billy Waters’ cross to edge the visitors in front.
Eight minutes later James Dayton made it 2-0 when he fired past home keeper Kevin Sawyer.
The Evesham stopper then showed his class with a terrific point-blank save to keep out the impressive Waters.
At the opposite end, United’s top scorer from last season Adam Mann dispossessed Danny Parslow but his deflected shot was safely gathered by Calum Kitscha.
The Town keeper comfortably held Sysum’s header before Waters increased the visitors’ lead to 3-0 when he found the back of the net via an upright seven minutes before the break.
Soon after the restart it became 4-0 courtesy of Dan Holman’s precise finish after being sent clear by the impressive Amari Morgan-Smith.
Evesham then enjoyed their best spell of the game and Brown pulled a goal back on 59 minutes after neat build-up play on the left.
United then suffered a double blow as they lost substitutes Liam Harding and Jacob Sloggett in quick succession due to injury.
Sam Gilder, who replaced Sawyer between the sticks at half time, made good saves low down from James Jennings and Harry Pell but was beaten three minutes from time when Sysum upended
Morgan-Smith in the box and the giant striker got up to complete the scoring from the penalty spot.
THE ROBINS face Stratford Town in a friendly at the Jubilee on Saturday. Please note the kick-off has been switched to 2pm.