Worcester 4, Evesham 2

DESPITE facing a home side containing no fewer than four players with international experience, Evesham produced an excellent team performance that kept them in the game for long periods.

Indeed it was only in the last 15 minutes that Worcester were able to consolidate their lead and take the victory in a game played positively by both teams and in an excellent spirit.

The visitors went into the game missing potentially at least five first team players, yet those that played showed commitment, heart and some considerable skill in defeat.

Throughout the game, stand-in captain and ex-Worcester man Matt Baumber produced an outstanding performance in midfield which for the most part overshadowed his more illustrious opponents.

Martin Husbands and Stuart Bearcroft, meanwhile, proved a continual threat on the counter-attack.

Evesham started the game tactically, allowing their opponents time and space in their own half while closing down space once they began to threaten their defence.

For all their possession, Worcester were lacking in ideas and creativity and became so frustrated that they often relied on long passes that invariably came to nothing.

Chris Perry and Mark Sadler marshalled the defence superbly but eventually Worcester's possession told and a long ball from England Under-21's Chris Adams split the defence to give the otherwise outstanding goalkeeper Guy Cassey no chance.

Yet, Evesham began to play further forward and a piercing ball from Baumber found Husbands who equalised with a well taken close-range strike.

The hosts continued to dominate possession after the break and once again it took a moment of inspiration from A J Kokeyejetski to open up the Evesham defence, before Baumber showed his skill at the set-piece with an unstoppable drag flick high into the net.

At 2-2 the game was evenly poised and, as Worcester became ragged, the Vale side had good opportunities to take the lead through Bearcroft and Husbands.

Stuart Harris became more dominant along the right flank to pose problems, yet in the last 15 minutes, tiredness began to show and Adams used his pace well twice in five minutes to set up two easy chances for Worcester to take seal the win.

Cassey had produced some excellent saves prior to the late double blast and should feel aggrieved that he had no chance with either goal.

Evesham continue their pre-season campaign at Evesham High School against Cirencester on Saturday (2.30pm).