Redditch Utd 4, Evesham Utd 5 (aet)

by Mervyn Collins

TUESDAY night's League Cup tie should really have been a Western Division match - it had the good, the bad and the ugly!

The good was in the shape of on-loan striker from Kidderminster, Matty Lewis, who bagged a debut hat-trick.

The bad saw Evesham toss away two-goal leads on three occasions before Steve Lutz hit an extra-time winner.

The ugly revolved around Darren Bullock and Scott Mullen who were both lucky to stay on the field after unnecessary tangles with Redditch men.

Manager Phil Mullen rested Shaun Pratt and Jay Powell and saw his side take a 2-0 lead after 18 minutes courtesy of a Bullock penalty and Lewis curler.

Home goalkeeper Richard Anstiss then produced cracking saves to deny Lutz and Lewis before Naveed Arshad reduced the deficit after 25 minutes.

Three minutes later, Lewis stroked in his second, but Richard field's thumping drive from 25 yards made it 3-2 with 12 minutes of the half still to play.

Wesley Joyce was relieved to only see yellow for a reckless lunge on Quinton Townsend but the striker showed his better side when combining with Lewis for the loan striker to double United's lead two minutes after the break.

The hat-trick hero should really have settled the tie five minutes later but, after racing clear, dragged his shot horribly wide.

Two minutes later, Chris Hill's 20-yarder left Chris Taylor rooted to the spot and the Evesham keeper was again left stranded when Bullock's attempted nod back found the corner of the Evesham net.

Joyce had now taken over the defensive duties alongside Paul West after both Matt Gardiner and Inderpaul Khala had left the action and Redditch sensed a sensational comeback.

Peter Sutton had his gilt-edged chances to make the Robins pay but he was off target and extra-time ensued.

There was little goalmouth action as both teams tired although Lewis had a shot hooked off the line.

The winner arrived four minutes from time when Anstiss spilled the ball. Lewis picked up the loose ball and when his shot was bundled off the line, Lutz was on hand to stab in the rebound.

There was still time for Arshad to race clear only to fire his shot wide, while Bullock needlessly became involved with Lee Knight, after an earlier escape for some unnecessary 'afters' and both men were lucky to stay on the field.

Likewise, Mullen for an off the ball incident and that on his return from a lengthy suspension!