Redditch Utd 2, Evesham Utd 1

by Mervyn Collins

HOW many times have the United faithful witnessed Tuesday's scenario?

A goal to the good and in control. A succession of chances go begging and then a goal is given away and the opposition go on to win.

That was the latest tale of torture in a nutshell and the evidence of the past four games - all lost - shows few signs of a change in fortune.

Nathan Jukes gave Evesham the perfect pick-me-up after Saturday's shocker with a free-kick strike that ended up in the Redditch net within two minutes of the start.

It was left to Shaun Pratt to become the villain of the piece in the first half - wasting three or four decent chances as the home side was regularly caught flat-footed at the back.

Running battle

Then the down side. Darren Bullock foolishly became entangled in a running battle with Lee Knight that eventually ended in the Redditch skipper's favour when he fired in an equaliser seven minutes from half time - an indirect free-kick that was deflected past Chris Taylor by Bullock!

There was still time for Pratt to direct two more chances wide before he, like several of his teammates, disappeared from the action.

Richard Anstiss pushed aside a shot from Jukes then superbly touched aside Bullock's 66th minute effort before again thwarting the Robins' skipper.

However, Evesham paid for their sloppiness in front of goal when Alex Cowley fired in the winner 16 minutes from time.

Steve Lutz shot wide after racing clear just 60 seconds later in what proved the visitors' last chance on another miserable trip.

It's a season that has now witnessed four away defeats in five Western Division matches on the road - a dreadful return for a side with high hopes of mounting a push for promotion.

Manager Phil Mullen, though, was boosted by the performance but terribly disappointed with the result.

"I'm a lot happier with that display," he remarked. "The previous three games were a disaster and I felt sorry for the players but we had the chances to win and didn't take them.

"If we are back on track then it will eventually turn our way and we've just got ensure that we maintain our home form starting with Solihull on Saturday."

United have won all five league games at Common Road, while Solihull have lost their last two on the road after starting the season with a long unbeaten run.

Mullen is looking to replace departed striker Leroy May but a new face for Saturday is unlikely. However, Mark Wolsey is expected to be back in contention next Tuesday night when the Robins go in search of revenge at Redditch's Valley Stadium in the Dr Martens League Cup first round clash - a tie that must be decided on the night.

Saturday's match is being sponsored by Metallurg Inter-national Resources (UK), Rotherham.

Mangotsfield will now visit Common Road on Tuesday, December 10 for a game that was called off due to Evesham's FA Cup commitments earlier this month.

There was disappointment for the club's ladies side last Sunday after a 7-1 defeat at Malvern.

It wasn't as bad as the scoreline might suggest as the hosts scored four times in the final ten minutes to give the result a rather flattering appearance.