Football
Evesham lose Premier Division status

EVESHAM UNITED'S expected relegation to Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South & West was confirmed on Saturday despite the Robins making it three matches without defeat with a 1-1 draw at Barwell on the final day.

Roland Agbor bagged a last minute equaliser for the visitors to earn a fifth point in three games but Evesham had left their end of season recovery too late and, even had they earned victory, a result elsewhere meant their four-year tenure in the Premier Division would have come to an end anyway.

Arlesey Town's late leveller in a 1-1 draw at Chippenham Town ensured that even a handsome victory could not have saved Evesham and Matt Clarke's side suffered the drop alongside Hemel Hempstead Town, Swindon Supermarine and Cirencester Town.

Barwell had already guaranteed a top ten finish and enjoyed the opening exchanges as they forced United keeper Dan Platt to touch over Jai Stanley's free kick and then the youngster produced a fine double save to thwart dangerman Jamie Towers.

Evesham upped their game and forced a succession of corners, only to fall behind on the half hour mark when Towers got free down the right before crossing to Matt West for a simple tap in.

United responded and finished the half on top as Henry Eze went close and then Ben Pugh miskicked in front of goal with only keeper Liam Castle to beat.

Evesham continued to play some decent football on a tricky surface in the second half but were dealt a blow when the influential Eze received a second yellow card for a foul on substitute Tom Weale.

Towers should have wrapped the points up for Barwell soon afterwards but headed wide with the goal at his mercy, before Castle at the other end then produced fine saves from Josh Quaynor and Craig Connor before ten-man Evesham were rewarded for their efforts with a last minute equaliser.

Agbor got the better of two defenders before composing himself and finding the bottom corner from 18 yards, but it could not save United whose player availability struggles and lack of goals hit the side hard this season.

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