Evesham United 1, Bury 6

EVESHAM'S new striker Sam Bowen was sidelined by a back injury when the Robins put in a creditable performance against Nationwide division two side Bury at Common Road on Tuesday night.

Bowen, who is a former Worcester City player, was signed up in a shock transfer coup earlier this week.

His impressive record, he scored 53 goals in 97 games with Worcester, meant that United manager Phil Mullen was hoping for big things from the new boy on Tuesday night. But Bowen's back injury put paid to that.

However, former Kidderminster Harriers striker Steve Taylor and Mark Wolsey, a summer signing from Tamworth, did catch the eye for United, who in the end were outplayed by a slick Bury side, managed by former Evesham favourite Andy Preece.

It took the Shakers only four minutes to go in front when Jason Jarrett found the back of the net.

United's Phil Preedy delayed shooting on a couple of occasions after outpacing the visitors' defence when well placed and Evesham keeper Bashkin Toska, from the former Yugoslavian republic of Kosovo, did well to block from Lutel James when the Bury striker looked certain to score.

Toska safely gathered a quickly taken free-kick by former Worcester City midfielder Darren Bullock, before Baichuna Bhuita, skipper of the Indian national side, made it 2-0 on 42 minutes, despite a brave effort by United full-back Matt Pendleton to clear.

Bury went 3-0 ahead three minutes into the second half when Jarrett scored his second after Preece had flicked on Martyn Forrest's corner.

On 67 minutes it was 4-0. This time Preece set up Bullock, who beat Toska with a powerful first time drive from 25 yards. A mistake by Jay Powell, who failed to clear his lines, let in Preece who made no mistake from close range to make it 5-0 in the 70th minute.

United pulled a goal back five minutes later, when a neat one two on the edge of the Bury area between Taylor and Wolsey, ended with the latter rounding visiting keeper Glyn Garner before scoring.

Preece completed the scoring in the last minute when he chested the ball down, before sending a delightful lob over substitute keeper Mark Downes from 18 yards.

United: Toska (Downes 78), Smith, Pendleton, Rogers (West 45), Powell, McCartan, Wolsey, Burton (Parmenter 37), Taylor, Licata (Twine 73), Preedy (Nuttall 60). Attendance: 125.

l NEXT week United continue their pre-season build up with two more friendlies.

On Tuesday Pegasus Juniors visit Common Road, Kick-off 7.30pm and two days later on Thursday, Witney Town are the visitors, kick-off 7.30pm.

United have been drawn away to Redditch in the first round of the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup. The tie is to be played on or before December 14. United's youth team have been drawn at home to Malvern Town in the first round of the Worcestershire FA Youth Cup. The tie is to be played on or before November 2. The winners will be at home to Alvechurch in the second round. The youth team will entertain Worcester City in the first round qualifying of the AXA FA Youth Cup, at Common Road, on August 31, kick-off 7.30pm. The winners will be at home to either Mangotsfield or Yeovil Town.