Football
Evesham exit FA Trophy

EVESHAM UNITED'S FA Carlsberg Trophy ambitions were ended at the preliminary round stage as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Stamford on Saturday.

The Evo-Stik Northern League Division One South hosts progressed thanks to a fifth minute winner from Andrew Hall which set up a first qualifying round tie at home to Kidsgrove Athletic.

United dominated possession, especially after half time, but the match never got out of second gear and failings in front of goal continue to be a problem for the Robins.

A misunderstanding in midfield led to Stamford's winner when Jordan Smith took full advantage to supply a cross to Hall whose well struck shot beat keeper Dean Coleman from the edge of the box.

Defences were on top for the remainder of the first half as clearcut chances at both ends were hard to come by, although Evesham did have shouts for a penalty turned down when Lee Osborne appeared to be pulled down in the area by Robbie Maddox.

Evesham were on the front foot for most of the second half but failed to trouble Matt Finlay on his debut in the Stamford goal.

Striker Marcus Palmer squandered a couple of half chances as United finished with a flurry but the hosts held on with relative comfort to progress.

Evesham return to Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South & West action tomorrow with a trip to Paulton Rovers and then visit Bishops Cleeve in the Red Insure Cup preliminary round on Wednesday.

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