Charlie's a thorn in United's side!

EVESHAM United's FA Trophy trail came to an abrupt end at the first fence in a leafy suburb of South East London last Saturday, writes Mick Clewes.

There was to be no repeat of last year's exploits when United reached the last 32 as Phil Mullen's men struggled to match the pace and supremacy of their illustrious non-league opponents at the impressive Champion Hill Stadium.

It was a case of not so 'Dul-wich' as the Ryman League side overcame the spirited Robins to take the game.

The thorn in Evesham's side was 20-year-old former Welling United striker, Charlie Side, who posed a constant threat throughout the game.

Phil Preedy had earlier raised United's hopes when he finished off a great move involving full back Andy Smith and striker Dean Roberts to put his side deservedly one goal up after 30 minutes, but their joy proved to be shortlived.

Luke Edghill ran through the Evesham defence just four minutes later and rifled a right-foot shot past Watson to equalise.

Dulwich constantly managed to evade the Evesham offside trap with the Robins reverting to a back four with Smith and Pendleton operating as orthodox full backs.

Just before half-time, Side again defeated the offside trap and ran through to score a superb individual goal to put Hamlet in front when he beat Watson from 20 yards.

In a clash of the captains, United's Steve McCartan was lucky only to see yellow when he raised his hands in a spat with his opposite number Rob French.

Guy Hadland continually prompted from midfield and Preedy looked the most likely to score as Evesham came out in determined mood in the second half.

Mark Wolsey saw a header blocked and Preedy blazed over, then Wolsey again saw a right-footed effort curl just over the bar.

Manager Mullen made a triple substitution on 75 minutes bringing on Andy Hodgetts, Steve Lutz and Steve Taylor for Roberts, James Brown and McCartan as the visitors pressed for an equaliser.

Hodgetts went close on a couple of occasions but worse was to follow when full back Matt Pendleton was sent off after 85 minutes following a reckless challenge on French, having himself been a victim of a nasty collision with Francis Quam only seconds before.

From the resulting free-kick, A1-James Hannigan laid the ball for Eben Allen to force the ball home and end all hopes of a replay.

In a game that was never dirty but always highly competitive, six players were cautioned including United's McCartan and defender Jay Powell for deliberate hand ball.

Dulwich's guest of honour for the day, the former Tottenham Hotspur and England star Gary Mabbutt, nominated Hamlet's Edghill as man of the match but co-striker Side must have run him close.