Solihull Blossomfield 6, Evesham 0

EVESHAM made the worst possible start to the new season in the Coaching Solutions West Midlands League clash.

Throughout Saturday's game, they defended poorly, squandered possession and gifted goals to an efficient, well organised Solihull side.

Player-manager Martin Husbands conceded: "They were a decent side, but we've had a shocker. Our possession of the ball was nave and, although we haven't become a bad side overnight, we must learn our lessons from this defeat."

Despite dominating the opening ten minutes, the home side soon lost their way and played as individuals rather than a team.

They became ragged and conceded possession too easily and as a result the defence soon came under pressure.

Gifted

A poor umpiring decision gifted the home side the lead and, for the rest of the half, Evesham seemed to be holding on, rather than taking the game to the opposition.

Matt Baumber and Seb Seneque were denied time and space in midfield, while in attack, Stuart Bearcroft and Martin Husbands were left to feed off scraps.

At the end of the half, the Vale side would have been relieved to be only a goal down but, on the stroke of half-time, another strange umpiring decision gave the visitors a penalty stroke after the half had ended!

It was so late that keeper Guy Cassey had already left for the interval and had to be recalled to face the stroke from which he had little chance of saving.

The hosts were made to chase the game after the restart when wrong decisions were made in an attempt to force the ball from defence.

On three occasions, the Solihull attackers were presented with easy chances that gave the stranded Cassey no chance.

Evesham had chances of their own but hit the ball directly at the keeper or narrowly failed to hit the target.

Stuart Harris battled throughout for the home side, while Husbands ran in vain in attack, but matters became worse when they were reduced to ten men after Baumber's dissent saw him temporarily suspended.

Solihull scored a sixth shortly before the end to conclude a miserable afternoon when only three or four players emerged with any credit.

Evesham have a tricky game at Stone in Staffordshire on Saturday when they will be looking for an improved performance at the very least.