Rugby Utd 3, Evesham Utd 2

A STUNNING strike from Robbie Beard nine minutes from time sentenced Dave Busst to a third defeat in five games since taking over at Common Road, writes Mervyn Collins.

The winner might have been special but it was certainly harsh on the visitors who led twice before becoming the victims of their own inefficiency at the back.

The best laid plans etc were thrown into chaos as the United manager found himself shorn of the services of the unavailable Damien Beattie, holidaying Simon Marsh, injured Paul Oakey and Wesley Joyce, whose reasons for absence we won't go into!!!

However, the arrival of Lee Knight and a recall for Tim Clarke brought a wealth of experience into a side boasting the Western Division's worst defensive record but both had a hand in Rugby's three goals.

Clarke was swiftly into action saving twice in the opening four minutes as Busst's new-look formation took time to gel.

Once United adapted to the system, they gradually gained in the ascendancy and Craig Pountney went close to upsetting the high riding hosts with a ninth minute volley and a crisp shot two minutes later.

It took the Robins seven more minutes to finally hit the net when Inderpaul Khela was fouled by goalkeeper Dean Thomas as he latched on to Craig Ball's pass and Nathan Jukes expertly converted from 12 yards.

Mark Burrow headed straight at Thomas then Jukes volleyed narrowly over as Evesham took control only to give away an equaliser six minutes from half-time when Ball and Clarke allowed Rory Squire to head in a near post corner.

Equality last just two minutes, though, as Ball made amends with a pass that Pountney collected in between a hesitant keeper and defender and coolly despatched the ball into the net from 16 yards.

Jukes shot wide from an Andy Smith centre before the arrival on the hour of Rugby substitute Dave Pearson, who grabbed the late winner at Common Road in October.

With almost his first touch, Pearson caught Knight napping and his angled shot squeezed under Clarke's bulky frame.

Pountney almost regained the lead with a 70th minute volley that drifted a foot wide but it was Clarke who was next into action to turn over Gary Moran's 80th minute free-kick.

The corner came to nothing but, when Beard picked up a loose ball midway inside the Evesham half, he only had one thing on his mind and a couple of touches later a 25-yard screamer left Clarke rooted to the spot.

Busst's men then laid siege to the home goal with Grant Pinkney, playing an unfavoured position of left wing back, prominent although he will have been disappointed not to have hit the target seven minutes from time following Smith's deep cross.

An angled drive from Jukes flew narrowly too high before, for the second successive Saturday, the visitors found themselves playing against ten men when Andy Commander was dismissed for a second yellow card.

Knight saw a header blocked from another Jukes dead-ball but, unlike at Clevedon, Evesham didn't have the time to take advantage of their numerical superiority and a display that deserved at least a point earned nothing!

Midland Floodlit Youth League

Southern Division

P W D L F A Pts

Moor Green 9 9 0 0 37 7 27

Worcester City 10 6 1 3 18 7 19

Wellington 8 5 2 1 24 11 17

Glos City 5 5 0 0 22 3 15

Alvechurch 9 4 2 3 16 16 14

Malvern Tn 9 4 1 4 18 11 13

Pershore Tn 8 3 1 4 23 15 10

Cinderford Tn 10 2 2 6 6 31 8

Stourport 10 2 1 7 12 30 7

Bromyard Tn 9 1 2 6 7 24 5

Evesham Utd 9 1 0 8 10 38 3

Up to and including Friday, December 5.