EVESHAM United were beaten 3-1 by Tamworth in Tuesday’s friendly at the Jubilee Stadium.
Striker Greg Peel’s first appearance for the Robins ended in considerable pain though. The former Leeds United youngster started up front alongside Mark Magee despite feeling some discomfort in his back before the game but, after being passed fit to play, he suffered a muscle spasm.
Peel, who stands 6ft 5in, had made a long journey south from the north east the day before the game after attending a family wedding, which may have made the issue worse.
Adam Mann scored Evesham’s goal early in the second half after Tamworth had opened a two-goal lead through Darryl Knights and Reece Styche at the break. Andrew Burns added their third in the final seconds of the game.
Former javelin thrower James Campbell went on for the second half for the hosts, making his second appearance for the club, along with fellow trialist Nick Hancock.
Nick Stanley and Ashley Williams are still away and are yet to feature in pre-season for United, who drew 1-1 at home to Gloucester City on Saturday.
Former Gloucester man Matt Williams had put Evesham ahead with a header from Sean Wood’s corner before the Tigers levelled.
Evesham boss Paul Collicutt plans to keep everyone involved for upcoming games against Cheltenham Town, Worcester City and Halesowen Town before he begins to trim his squad ahead of the new campaign.
“I am happy with the way it’s going and I got more out of the Tamworth game than I did the Gloucester friendly.
“Andy Morrell (Tamworth manager) was complimentary about the club both on and off the field and it was a good night for us.
“We have a competitive week coming up with three games in six days including the Worcestershire Senior Cup semi-final against Worcester City.
“I’ll have a lot of thinking to do at the end of next week.”
Meanwhile, United have been drawn to visit Northern Premier League South outfit Newcastle Town in the FA Cup preliminary round on August 19.
In the FA Trophy, the Robins will host Cirencester Town in the preliminary round on October 7. The winners will visit Salisbury or Paulton Rovers in the first qualifying round on October 28.
EVESHAM UNITED 2017/18 SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTH WEST FIXTURES:
Sat Aug 12 Larkhall Athletic A
Wed Aug 16 Cinderford Town H
Sat Aug 26 Paulton Rovers A
Tue Aug 29 North Leigh H
Sat Sep 9 Bideford A
Sat Sep 16 Wimborne Town H
Sat Sep 23 Barnstaple Town H
Tue Sep 26 Cirencester Town A
Sat Sep 30 Bristol Manor Farm A
Sat Oct 14 Didcot Town H
Sat Oct 21 Salisbury A
Wed Oct 25 Kidlington H
Sat Nov 4 Yate Town H
Sat Nov 11 Slimbridge A
Tue Nov 14 Bishops Cleeve A
Sat Nov 18 Taunton Town H
Sat Nov 25 AFC Totton A
Wed Nov 29 Mangotsfield United H
Sat Dec 2 Winchester City A
Fri Dec 8 Swindon Supermarine H
Sat Dec 16 Cinderford Town
Sat Dec 23 Larkhall Athletic H
Tue Dec 26 North Leigh A
Mon Jan 1 Shortwood United H
Sat Jan 6 Wimborne Town A
Sat Jan 13 Paulton Rovers H
Sat Jan 20 Slimbridge H
Sat Jan 27 Yate Town A
Sat Feb 3 Barnstaple Town A
Sat Feb 10 Cirencester Town H
Sat Feb 17 Didcot Town A
Sat Feb 24 Bristol Manor Farm H
Sat Mar 3 Kidlington A
Sat Mar 10 Salisbury H
Sat Mar 17 Swindon Supermarine A
Sat Mar 24 Winchester City H
Fri Mar 30 Bideford H
Mon Apr 2 Shortwood United A
Sat Apr 7 Taunton Town A
Sat Apr 14 Bishops Cleeve H
Sat Apr 21 Mangotsfield United A
Sat Apr 28 AFC Totton H