Evesham 0, Wednesbury 1

EVESHAM could have moved into second place with a victory on Saturday only to concede a late disputed goal that leaves them in the bottom three.

Despite playing the undefeated league leaders, the home side were determined to take the game to the Wolverhampton-based opposition and, as a result, had much the better of the opening exchanges.

Captain Martin Husbands said: "Wednesbury try to intimidate and bully teams but we've shown that if you pass the ball well enough you can dominate them.

"However, for all our midfield dominance, we've got to get the ball into the area much better. In saying that, this was a game we never deserved to lose."

Last season Evesham scored more than 100 goals but, with defences being a lot more experienced and skilful, games are much more likely to be determined by the odd goal.

Chances were few and far between in a physical game of high skill but the home side will be regretting that possession that wasn't turned into chances.

Evesham passed the ball with purpose and pace to avoid being dragged into a battle and, at times, their passing game was breathtaking.

Controlled

Matt Baumber and Stuart Harris controlled the midfield, allowing Mark Brown and Jamie Dodgson to attack along the flanks.

Their positive approach soon provided a number of good chances and Stuart Bearcroft hit a post twice before Dodgson and Brown were only denied by some excellent goalkeeping.

Wednesbury proved dangerous on the counter and it needed concentration of the highest order from Nick Lloyd and goalkeeper James Nicholas to ensure that the game stayed even at half-time.

The second half was similarly evenly matched although Evesham created fewer scoring chances.

There was plenty of possession - despite some rather physical and cynical tactics from the visitors - but too often the ball was lost in the last third of the pitch as passes went astray or individuals were too selfish moving towards the opposition area.

Husbands came closest with a reverse strike that narrowly missed a post but more disappointing was the number of short corners that were easily defended by the visiting team.

With the game looking likely to end goalless, some rather strange umpiring decisions changed the course of the game.

As the Wednesbury side attacked, the umpires gave decisions their way far to easily and, as their playmaker moved forward with the ball, rather than penalising him for clear obstruction and blocking, the umpires to the surprise of most players, awarded a short corner from which a strike was deflected into the roof of the net.

Evesham travel to Solihull on Sat-urday looking for a return to winning ways when victory could lift them into the top four while a defeat could leave them bottom!

West Midlands Premier Division

P W D L F A Pts

Wednesbury 5 5 0 0 16 3 15

Old Halesonians 5 3 1 1 11 7 10

Stratford 5 3 0 2 11 8 9

Kidderminster 5 2 2 1 21 24 8

Stone 5 2 1 2 23 20 7

Warwick 5 2 1 2 12 11 7

Bloxwich 5 2 1 2 9 13 7

Solihull Bloss 5 2 0 3 16 12 6

KH Pickwick 5 2 0 3 8 9 6

Evesham 5 2 0 3 8 11 6

Old Silhillians 5 1 0 4 8 14 3

Old Wulfrunians 5 1 0 4 10 21 3