Evesham face uphill task after Yeltz loss

For the most part, United held their own, but the sending off of Scott Mullen for an off the ball incident on the hour changed the course of the game.

The Yeltz made their extra man count and went on to score twice in a five minute spell and must be firm favourites to lift the Cup when the two sides meet again for the second leg at Common Road on Wednesday, April 23.

United, who were unable to parade an out and out striker, worked hard throughout, but rarely threatened Gary Hateley in the Halesowen goal.

Tim Hart in the Robins goal did well to parry a lob from former Hereford United striker Richard Leadbeater and then Gavin Stone rattled the Evesham woodwork with a header that came back off the underside of the bar.

Hateley saved an Inderpaul Khela header and Mark Wolsey sent a speculative lob from 40 yards just wide, but the half finished with honours even.

Hart did extremely well to push behind a Kirk Master shot and at the other end United had penalty appeals turned down when Khela was sent sprawling by Hateley.

Eleven minutes after Mullen had received his marching orders for a tangle with Richard Colwell Halesowen punished 10-man Robins by taking the lead.

Hart made a great save from Colwell's volley, but the predatory Leadbeater followed up to drill in the rebound.

With Evesham still reeling from that setback Halesowen went two up with their next attack. Mark Danks made a good run before beating Hart with an excellent finish from 20 yards.

After this, Halesowen went looking to kill the tie off as a contest, but the United rearguard, which has been in outstanding form of late, held firm.

The tricky Master got into a couple of good positions but shot wide and Hart again excelled himself with a brave save to deny Leadbeater.

Evesham: Hart 7, Smith 6, Sage 6, West 7, Powell 7, Jukes 6, Wolsey 6, Khela 6, Mullen 5, Oakey 6, Heath 6. Attendance: 268