Evesham Utd Ladies 1,

Droitwich Spa 3

ENTERTAINING a side that they had comprehensively beaten in the league last month, Evesham produced a dismal second half show to fall at the first hurdle in the Women's County Cup.

United were the better team in the early stages and created a number of chances before taking the lead after 13 minutes.

A clearance by goalkeeper Mandy Upton was headed on by Lola Hughes for Tori Southern to outpace the defence and stroke the ball past the visiting goalkeeper.

The hosts continued to create chances but almost paid for not adding to their total when a defensive mistake let in Tanya Hill whose fierce shot just cleared the bar. Lisa Tustin fired in a shot that the Spa keeper saved at the second attempt and ten minutes later Tustin again got free but fired just over the bar.

With the game in first half stoppage time Stephanie Clements played a fine pass to Southern who cut inside and saw her shot deflected for a corner.

The second half proved a disaster for the Robins as they struggled to compete with resurgent opposition.

Upton was quickly down to save at the foot of a post on the hour but the pressure was beginning to tell on an overworked home defence but it was a somewhat fortuitous goal that brought Droitwich level after 72 minutes when a speculative shot was lost in the sun by Upton and she could only help the ball into the net.

Droitwich now began to dominate as they sensed that victory was a possibility and they took the lead seven minutes from time when a mistake enabled a visiting striker to easily beat Upton.

Straight from the restart, Southern had a shot well saved before play switched back to the other end and Upton produced a fine diving save.

However, she was helpless two minutes from time when Spa sealed victory to end a disappointing afternoon for the dejected home side.

United are back on league duty on Sunday when they entertain Bredon at Common Road (2pm).