Football
Robins host Newport in memorial encounter

EVESHAM UNITED begin their pre-season campaign with the visit of Newport County to the Spiers and Hartwell Jubilee Stadium tomorrow (3pm), but there will be added significance to the occasion.

The Robins and their Conference Premier visitors will be playing for a memorial trophy in honour of Carl Lewis, who was a lifelong Newport fanatic.

Carl, who sadly passed away on July 10, 2009 at the age of 48, was the brother-in-law of United committee member Morris Allen who has suggested this fixture and provided a trophy which Carl's widow Michelle and family Carl, Joseph, Christina and Rachael will present to the winners after the game.

Several other members of Carl's family have been invited by Evesham to the game at the club's new stadium and it is hoped this fixture will become an annual event in Carl's memory.

Tomorrow's match will be immediately followed by Evesham United Girls U18s taking on Canadian visitors Camrose Inferno at 5pm. There will be free entry after 4.30pm.

The Robins then continue their pre-season schedule on Tuesday (7.45pm) when Hereford United are the visitors, before Shrewsbury Town arrive on July 19 (7.45pm).

Cheltenham Town are the visitors on July 21 (3pm), before United make the trip to Malvern Town on July 24 (7.45pm).

Littleton are the visitors to the new ground on Cheltenham Road on July 28 (3pm) and Evesham then travel to face Pershore Town on July 31 (7.30pm).

Meanwhile, Evesham have been drawn to visit Leek Town in the FA Cup preliminary round on August 25, with the winners of the tie to pick up £1,750.

The victors will then play for £3,000 in prize money in the first qualifying round on September 8 when they take on one of Highgate United, Wellington, Brocton or Bewdley Town.

Pershore Town will entertain Wolverhampton Casuals in the FA Vase first qualifying round on September 1, with £500 up for grabs.

The second qualifying round takes place on September 15 with £700 prize money and Pershore or Casuals will host Pelsall Villa or AFC Wulfrunians.

One of this quartet will then have a home tie in the first round proper against Coleshill Town or Stratford Town, or Tipton Town or Bolehall Swifts, on October 13 when the prize money is £900.

For a full report and pictures from Saturday's Evesham United versus Manchester United Legends encounter which officially opened the new ground, turn to the news section.

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