Thirds play out a home draw (From Cotswold Journal)

Thirds play out a home draw

10:40am Friday 5th February 2010

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WITH both Evesham Hockey Club’s men’s first and second teams having by-weeks, the third XI played host to Walsall and drew 1-1.

Hoping to replicate the 5-1 victory against the visitors in the opening weeks of the season, Evesham started the stronger of the sides with continued pressure leading to chances on the Walsall goal.

The majority of these came to nothing, either through poor final-ball passing or stout defending by the visitors.

Eventually, in the run-up to half-time, Evesham finally broke the deadlock thanks to a reverse-stick shot by Ashley Padfield that powered into the net. The home side took their 1-0 advantage into the half-time break.

The second-half played out much as the first, with Evesham creating more of the play, but failing to convert any of their chances.

As the game progressed, Walsall began to gain more of a foothold and Evesham required two desperate goal-line clearances by defender Paul Nash to keep their lead.

With only minutes to go, the visitors converted one of their chances and the game ended 1-1.

The fourth XI travelled to Bournville for the late push-back of the day.

An under-strength Evesham team, notably missing captain and leading goal-scorer Graham Marshall, were out-classed by a well-organised Bournville side.

Despite the defensive work of Neil Grant, Stuart Baggs and Mark Lyth, the visitors were unable to withstand the continued pressure in the first-half and went into the break 1-0 down.

In an effort to pull level, the Evesham pushed forward more in the second-half, but chances were few and none were taken. Bournville’s pace was evident on the counter-attack, and as the visitors tired, they were able to convert two more chances, which left the final score 3-0 to the hosts.

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