Evesham Utd 0, Halesowen Tn 1

(Halesowen win 3-0 on aggregate)

AN INABILITY to make inroads into a Premier Division defence brought a second successive shut-out at Common Road and County Cup disappointment last night.

Not even a surprise recall for Sam Bowen could add the cutting edge needed to score twice to even level the Worcestershire Senior Cup semi-final clash.

Bowen and Joyce were expected to cause the Halesowen rearguard problems but, like Merthyr last Saturday, the visitors easily coped with what little threat the United attack could throw at them.

A goal for the Robins at any time during the game would have livened up what turned out to be a relatively quiet night at Common Road, but it was the Yeltz who grasped the trophy with both hands once Mark Danks had reacted quickest to head in the game's solitary goal three minutes after the restart.

The Premier Division strugglers really should have sealed the tie in the opening 20 minutes when three decent chances went begging.

Michael Blackwood, who was a handful all evening, fired inches over, Richard Lead-beater headed on to the roof of the net from a corner, while Blackwood's astute pass gave Danks a clear chance that he lobbed over the crossbar.

A free-kick from Wesley Joyce and a 20-yarder from Paul Oakey was all the Robins had to offer in the opening 40 minutes.

However, the former had a rare sight of goal from Mark Wolsey's incisive pass four minutes before the break but a tame finish epitomised Evesham's weakness up front.

Tim Hart produced a fine stop to thwart Leadbeater, before Inderpaul Khela's near post volley could perhaps have earned Phil Mullen's men an interval lifeline from a Nathan Jukes corner.

However, Blackwood's presence again created havoc in the United rearguard and his left-footer struck an upright before danks stooped to conquer!

Bowen had sniff of an instant reply but his toe poke sent the ball narrowly wide.

Joyce twice looked like he might give the home fans something to cheer about only to fail miserably on each occasion and his tangle with Lee Collins earned both men a caution off Worcester referee Steven Dorr.

Hart saved well from Neil Gibson before rare alarm in the Town six-yard box ended with Joyce's header rolling inches wide.

Grant Pinkney and Daniel Lennon were thrust into the action and both sides seemed capable of scoring in the closing quarter.

Hart stretched out a left hand to keep out a 70th minute header from Danks. Phil Trainer's fierce left-footer flew inches over, while the United goalkeeper again excelled with yet another fine save in preventing Andy Spencer matching the first leg scoreline from The Grove.

Gary Hateley had far simpler saves to keep out shots from Oakey and Lennon, while Jukes was a yard too high with a late 20-yarder.

United deserved a goal for their efforts but it wasn't to be and one consolation was that Town substitute Tim Clarke didn't find the net either - he is their regular goalkeeper!