Saturday, October 5, 2002

AFTER doing his best to send Evesham packing from this season's FA Cup, referee Andy Williams was at his worst to condemn the Robins to an early FA Trophy exit.

A third appointment in the space of seven days spelled trouble for Phil Mullen's men but their disappointing demise can't be totally blamed on the man in black.

Mr Williams dismissed Matt Gardiner 15 minutes from time for two cautions and then ordered irate manager Mullen from the dugout eight minutes later after the pair had exchanged words.

Evesham, missing the injured Shaun Pratt, were a pale shadow of the side that had trounced Cinderford and only really showed their true colours in the opening 20 minutes and closing stages.

Leroy May was reinstated up front after suspension but he lacked sharpness and the visitors made little headway.

Darren Bullock's early header was cleared off the line while Steve Lutz was of target when arriving late to meet a Bullock free-kick.

The first half remained goalless but it took the Welshmen just eight minutes to break the deadlock when Ryan Dorrian stabbed the ball past Darren Steadman.

The tie was as good as over 12 minutes later when Andy Mainwaring reacted quickest to fire in the loose ball after Steadman had brilliantly saved Dorrian's effort.

May struck the Merthyr crossbar late on and Martyrs goalkeeper Neil Thomas tipped over Andy Smith's cross-shot but United's rally came to nothing.

Mr Williams, who also dished out a seventh yellow card of the season to a disbelieving Bullock, needed stewards to escort him off the pitch and out of the ground after the game.

United: Steadman, Smith, Pendleton (James), Gardiner, Powell, Jukes (Parmenter), West, Bullock, May, Lutz, Pinkney. Subs (not used), Sollis, Davies, Ladek.