Chesham Utd 0,

Evesham Utd 2

by Mervyn Collins

FIREWORKS night produced a spark-ling display as the introduction of a couple of fresh faces looks like igniting United's season.

Matty Lewis and John Williams both made impressive bows but it was scorer-in-chief Richard Ball who produced two typical close-range finishes to secure the visiting side's first win for 11 matches.

The game could have been over as early as the 33rd minute but it needed Ball's strike five minutes from time to seal a welcome win for Dave Busst's rejuvenated troops.

Magnificent

Lewis's third minute left-footed curler brought a magnificent tip aside from Chesham goalkeeper Darren Benfield who was powerless to prevent Ball nodding in Steve Duncan's 17th minute cross from a move instigated by the scorer 40 yards from goal.

The slick passing was typical of United's first half play when the long ball seemed confined to the bonfire. Gavin O'Toole and Rob Taylor were at the heart of Evesham's confident play that also saw Duncan give his best display for weeks in a midfield area that has been a problem for the Robins all term.

Busst's selection policy was determined by an injury to Leon Blake and the release of Matty Hall but newcomers Williams and Lewis were certainly up for it from the off.

Ball was denied a seventh minute goal when he fired past Benfield only for the referee to pull back play on the advice of an assistant who had flagged for a foul on the striker.

Dave Adey produced a flying save to keep out a header from Barrie Matt-hews before United were denied a blatant penalty when Nathan Stamp handled in the area after some neat skill from Williams.

Evesham's new-found passing poise led to Anthony Watson surging forward with great menace down the right, while also helping the impressive defensive unit of Lee Knight, Steven Hands and Richie Robinson afford Adey plenty of protection.

Lewis flashed a half-volley past an angle as half-time approached and the new man, who played for United under Phil Mullen four seasons ago, was halted unceremoniously by Olawale Ojelaei soon after the restart.

Chesham came more into the game after the break but Adey was perfectly placed to keep out Ojelaei's 64th minute header.

It was to be the central defender's last act as a second crude challenge on Lewis brought a second yellow card but also saw the former Hinckley man join cramp-stricken Williams on the bench.

Victorious

So now it was the old United against ten-man United and it was the former who emerged victorious with Lewis's replacement Jamie Bailey teeing up Ball for the clincher after another astute pass from O'Toole.

It could have been even better for the visitors had Bailey not fired over when clean through in stoppage-time but Busst will have been delighted and relieved to have collected his first three points since early September when a first clean sheet of the season on the road added to the satisfaction.