Evesham United 2,

Sutton Coldfield Town 1

THIS was just the sort of game that United threw away last season. But, on this opening day of the new Western Division campaign, tremendous spirit and a little bit of good luck ensured a winning start last Saturday.

It won't have gone amiss on the home bench that the hosts made hard work of seeing off a virtually rebuilt Sutton side as Phil Preedy, Mark Wolsey and Joe Licata all spurned great chances to seal the spoils with the latter pair particularly embarrassed by their misses.

Teenage substitute James Brown also saw a late effort cleared off the line and the final whistle came as a huge relief to the Evesham contingent.

Mullen's team plans were thrown into disarray when Sam Bowen revealed to the Common Road chief after training last week that he still had two matches of a suspension from last season to serve.

However, the striker's absence didn't appear to be too crucial when Licata finally gave United the lead after ten minutes of pressure after Tony Rowe found Steve McCartan's shot too fierce to hold.

The former Worcester City goalkeeper, who also played a couple of times for the Robins, proved the visiting side's villain after Sutton had levelled a minute before the break through former Pershore Town midfielder Grant Beckett.

Seven minutes after the restart, 'Macca' tried his luck from 20 yards and his innocuous strike squirmed through an anguished Rowe's hands.

Opposite number and United debutant Damien Beattie produced a sound debut. He had little chance with the goal and produced the save of the day to push over Simeon Hodgson's drive two minutes after McCartan's goal.

Evesham showed both a skilful and physical side to their game, assets that, allied to their commitment and endeavour, should serve them well.

Dean Roberts replaced Bowen in the front line alongside new skipper Steve Taylor, who, like the other quartet of debutants, all impressed.

Wolsey earned the game's only booking in stoppage time for a late tackle on Martin Ruddock, who went looking for revenge and got it.

The match ended with an unseemly brawl in the centre circle after the Sutton man's punch and kick on a couple of home players.

The referee, like his fellow officials throughout, took the easy option and blew the final whistle.

United: Beattie, Smith, Pendleton, West, Powell, Roberts (Brown), Wolsey, McCartan, Taylor, Licata, Preedy. Subs, not used: Shaw, Rogers. Attendance: 126.