AROUND 1,600 people turned out to watch an Evesham United Legends XI lose 2-1 to a Manchester United Legends XI in an ex-hibition match at Evesham High School.

The match, which included the likes of former United stars Arthur Albiston, Fraser Digby, Sammy McIlroy, Clayton Blackmore and Frank Stapleton, was moved to the high school as a result of the delayed opening to Evesham’s new ground.

Nevertheless, the show went on — and what a show it was.

Among the Evesham legends were Micky Brennan, Perry Adams, Tim Hall and Steve Taylor.

Current Evesham manager Paul West was not originally scheduled to play, but made a cameo appearance in the match.

He said: “This is the first time in five years a senior Evesham United team has played together, so it was a big occasion.”

The match kicked off with Manchester United on the front foot during the opening exchanges.

Within minutes of the kick off they had already struck the woodwork, with Blackmore crashing a thunderous strike off the underside of Dave Adey’s crossbar.

The Robins struggled to get a foot-hold in the game, but defended well against a string of attacks.

After a goalless first-half, Steve Taylor struck a crisp left-footed effort from the edge of the area to give Evesham the lead.

A break up the other end, however, resulted in the equaliser, with David Graham meeting a cross from the left.

The Red Devils grabbed the winner when Andy Ritchie showed composure to find the net off the underside of the bar.