Evesham Utd 1, Bridgwater Tn 3

AN EVEN more inept performance than the one that brought FA Cup defeat at Gloucester 12 months ago heaped more misery on to United's frustrated followers, writes Mervyn Collins.

There aren't many of them - and the numbers might dwindle even more on Saturday's pathetic evidence - but they were the people paying £6 a time to witness their side chuck away £7,500.

That was the cash payout for the winners of the first qualifying round tie and it's little wonder the Somerset-based Western Leaguers were jubilant at the finish.

Unless Phil Mullen gives his side a good shaking then a repeat of the last two seasons - five and six successive defeats at this time of the year - is a distinct possibility.

High flying Chippenham Town and bogey outfit Redditch United are the next two opponents and, if league officials aren't kind and give Evesham an easy task on September 29 then history could well rear its ugly head.

The only bright spot after Saturday's flop was that Evesham could have been on the wrong end of a six-goal thumping against their lesser-ranked visitors.

However, when substitute Steve Taylor nodded United level after 58 minutes, expectation was high that Mullen's men would now go and win.

Far from it. There was hardly a sniff of a chance and only Darren Stead-man's efforts saved the hosts being further embarrassed.

It was a similar tale in the first half and Bridgwater could have been three goals to the good before the home defence was found wanting again after 31 minutes.

The alert Steadman headed out a long ball 25 yards from goal only for Dave Pope to fire the clearance into the gaping goal.

Town were first to the ball, especially in midfield and constantly exposed United's static back line. And, just to complete the sorry tale of home fallibility, it was Shaun Strange's header against the inside of a visiting upright that gave Evesham their only real glimpse of a first half goal.

Pete Knox should have doubled Bridgwater's lead but shot hopelessly wide after racing clear but the striker had the last laugh when he struck his side's second 14 minutes from time after an error from Common Road debutant Matt Gardiner.

By this time, Taylor and Russell Parmenter had replaced Phil Preedy and Steve Lutz. The former's header from Mark Wolsey's cross at least giving home fans something to cheer.

It proved a false dawn and only Steadman's heroics prevented the tie being settled long before Chris Young's 83rd minute finish after yet more sloppy defending.

Assistant manager Paul Davies had earlier replaced an ineffective and far from fit Stuart Payne - a situation indicative of the attacking limitations affecting Mullen due to injuries to Dean Roberts, Scott Mullen, James Brown and Andy Hodgetts.

That shouldn't be used an excuse and manager Mullen has a lot of sorting out to do if a replica of the past two campaigns isn't to see gates reduce even further. And, while he's at it he really needs to clamp down on Wolsey who collected a third caution in seven days to go with the 16 he collected last term!

After Saturday's tough trip to Chip-penham - a coach leaves the High Street at 11.30am - United entertain Redditch on Tuesday (7.45).

The match sponsor is Ma's Den Wholesalers, Redditch and the ball is being sponsored by Kevin's Butchers, Port Street, Evesham.

Gloucester City's visit to Common Road on October 6 has been brought forward to Friday, October 5, kick-off 7.45pm, to avoid a clash with England's final World Cup qualifying clash.

lUnited will visit Cinderford on September 29 for a rearranged league game.