United secure point in draw (From Cotswold Journal)

United secure point in draw

8:00am Sunday 28th October 2012 in Sport

EVESHAM United remain just inside the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West play-off zone after a dour goalless draw at Mangotsfield United.

United had all the play and dominated possession but, without the services of leading scorer Marcus Palmer through injury, rarely looked like scoring.

Mangotsfield, who went into the game seeking their first home victory of the season, defended in numbers throughout the first period, restricting the Robins to few opportunities in front of goal.

Gavin Hurren headed Tom Warmer’s corner just wide and Neil Arndale got in a brave block to deny Evesham’s Roley Agbor with half-time approaching.

Things improved for Evesham in the second period with home keeper Kevin Sawyer called into action on a number of occasions.

But Sawyer only had to make routine saves from Agbor (twice), Warmer and Neil MacKenzie.

Substitute Nathan Hicks then squandered a golden opportunity to clinch an away win but prodded wide off the target with only Sawyer to beat.

Evesham goalkeeper Dean Coleman, a spectator for most of the game, ensured his side a share of the spoils in stoppage time.

He made a flying save to keep out Marcus Doherty’s goalbound drive and saw Matt Thorne’s follow-up fly over.

Evesham United: Coleman, Kalonji, Hyde, Hurren, Eze, Warmer, Connor (Vernaschi 70), MacKenzie, Holgate (Polan 58), Downing (Hicks 64), Agbor. Subs not used: Williams, Elmes.

Attendance: 184.

• Evesham United returned to winning ways with a 4-0 success over The New Saints in the Central Warwickshire League Girls’ Under 18s Premier Division.

After their previous loss to leaders Wolves, Evesham started confidently and the pressure paid off with Laura Powers’ side-foot volley from Beth Guy’s cross.

Captain Lauren Cowley’s deflected 30-yard free-kick extended the lead before Powers dispatched another chance and Hannah Campbell completed the scoring with a tap-in.

Goalkeeper Clare Hampton made several important saves, while Cowley marshalled the new-look defence of Amy Campbell, Millie Meadows and Guy.