Evesham Utd Ladies 3, Redditch VC 1

UNITED made a tremendous start and were a goal up inside the first minute when Amy Summers chased down a long ball forward and forced the goalkeeper into a hurried clearance which found its way to Kayleigh Hateley who lobbed the ball into the roof of the net.

The hosts continued to push forward and were rewarded again in the seventh minute. A free-kick taken by Charlene McLoughlin was pushed on to the bar by the Redditch keeper but Sarah Rich-ardson reacted quickest to push the ball over the line.

The Robins had a scare a minute later when McLoughlin's attempted clearance came back off the bar and was gratefully collected by goalkeeper Sonia Crow.

Evesham continued to have the better of the early exchanges and a corner was met by a great strike from McLoughlin that was touched over the bar.

McLoughlin was then in action at the other end as her fine tackle on Claire Compton prevented the Redditch striker getting in an effective strike.

United came close to a third goal on the stroke of half-time when a shot from Lucy Jeffs was turned for a corner.

United had a strong penalty appeal turned down in stoppage-time before a lapse in concentration allowed Redditch to reduce the arrears.

McLoughlin's commanding performance at the heart of the home defence gave the visitors few more opportunities to get back into the game but United were indebted to Crow who superbly pushed a goalbound shot around a post.

Evesham are at home to Hereford LC in a league match on Sunday, kick-off 2pm at Common Road.