View
Lineups / Goalscorers
A
lack lustre Harrow were unceremoniously dumped out of the FA Trophy
by Dr Martens First Division side Evesham in this third round
tie. Apart for a 20 minute spell in the second half Boro were
out played and out battled by a side showing more desire to win.
Wearing
their new black and white away strip for the first time, Boro
lined up with midfielder John Hurlock joining Pat Gavin up front
with Mark Xavier and Kelechi Duru on the flanks. Hurlock and Nicolaj
Lund set up the first chance of the game but Mark Xavier sent
his shot just over the bar.
Evesham
took the lead after 13 minutes. Smith drove a low ball in from
the right which was blocked at the foot of the post by James Robinson
but the ball bounced away and cannoned off a couple of Boro defenders
into the path of Steve McCartan who drove into an open net from
three yards.
A
50 yard ball from Smith found McCartan in acres of space but he
hurriedly shot over. Mark Cooper made two important challenges
on Preedy before McCartan headed just wide. Wolsey sent a snap
shot past the upright with Robinson struggling to get across his
goal. Boro were not being allowed any space in midfield and the
usually influential Derek Payne and Nikolaj Lund were subdued
at this stage.
Boro
played the ball far too close on an uneven playing surface and
with little penetration wide they found difficulty in getting
any momentum into their attacks. Lund's clever pass did set up
Andy Rose for a good strike from 12 yards but keeper Beattie managed
to cling on to the ball above his head at the second attempt.
At half time Evesham were well worth their lead while Boro simply
could not put their game together.
Boro
dominated possession in the early part of the second half with
substitute Oliver Petersen giving their attack much needed zip.
Evesham were a little fortunate when Wolsey sliced a clearance
over his shoulder and past the post for a corner - Harrow's first
corner 52 minutes into the game. Evesham were being pressed back
into their own penalty area but still looked dangerous on the
break and it took a superb tackle by Marc Walsh to prevent Pratt
breaking clear.
The
dangerous Preedy drove a ball across the goal but McCartan meeting
the cross mishit his shot. Most of the action was at the other
end and Walsh's shot was blocked by Deakin as Evesham filled their
area with defenders. A long throw by Danny Nwaokolo found it's
way to Mark Xavier at the back post and his stinging drive was
instinctively saved by Beattie who conceded a corner. Lund's corner
in the 71st minute created problems and in the melee on the six
yard line Petersen forced the ball in for Boro's equaliser.
The
impetus appeared to be swinging towards the visitors but this
illusion lasted just 60 seconds. Boro failed to deal adequately
with a long free kick down centre field and the ball broke for
Pratt who hammered it into the net to restore Evesham's lead.
After 79 minutes Mark Cooper attempted to dribble round Pratt
on the half way line but was dispossessed and the home striker
ran on to net the home side's third.
Three
minutes later Evesham scored a fourth. They won a tackle in their
six yard area moved the ball quickly up field and Wolsey fired
in the goal of the game. This goal probably demonstrated the difference
between the two sides on the day; Evesham showing determination,
good passing and incisive finishing.
It
also says a huge amount for Boro's defensive frailties that this
was the first time that Evesham had scored more than three goals
in a competitive game this season. Boro were thrown a late life
line when West handled in the area and Mark Xavier tucked away
the penalty - which was greeted in almost total silence by the
Boro supporters who had been stunned by what they were witnessing.
In
a late flurry Danny Nwaokolo smashed a volley against the underside
of the bar; Beattie blocked Petersen and Lund and Petersen twice
went close with further efforts. But Boro can have no complaints
about this result. Overall Evesham wanted to win more than the
visitors. Home advantage counted for something but the hosts made
far more intelligent use of the ball in the conditions and deserve
their place in the fourth round.
