Evesham Utd Ladies 1,

Worcester City Res 2

A LETHARGIC home team succumbed to defeat against a Worcester side reduced to ten players after the sending off of their goalkeeper on the stoke of half-time.

The home goal had an early let-off, while goalkeeper Sonia Crow did well to get down to push a goalbound shot wide before Worcester missed another great chance to take the lead.

Evesham were eventually caught out after 28 minutes as City finally found the net but two minutes later a flowing move saw Amy Summers play the ball back for Kayleigh Hateley whose shot sailed just wide.

Crow was again here side's saviour before long-range efforts from Becky Handy and Hateley caused the Worc-ester defence little worry at the other end before the red card for handling outside the area.

Sam Perry took the resulting free-kick that came back off the inside off a post before being scrambled over the bar for a corner.

The hosts were immediately on the attack after the restart with Hateley driving straight at the new keeper.

Any thoughts United may have had that it was going to be any easier against ten were dispelled in the 48th minute when Worcester took a two-goal lead.

With the visitors conceding several free-kicks it was probably going to be a set piece that brought United any joy and this was the case 18 minutes from time when Handy's well directed effort reduced the deficit.

Ten minutes later United should have equalised but Summers just couldn't get enough on her shot and the goalkeeper clutched the ball just under the bar.

Sunday's losers will be hoping to get back to winning ways this weekend when Leominster Town are the visitors to Com-mon Road for a League Knockout Cup quarter-final tie, kick-off 2pm.