Walsall 1, Evesham 0
SATURDAY'S latest Coaching Solutions West Mid-lands Premier League game saw Evesham denied a point when a controversial decision gave the home side a penalty corner in the last minute.
There were just seconds left on the clock when the hosts converted the set-piece to take the points that they didn't deserve.
A furious losing skipper Steve Miller said: "We haven't looked like conceding all game, have worked tirelessly only to be denied a point by the officials. It's so disheartening."
Neither side looked particularly threatening in front of goal in a match of few chances.
The Walsall goalkeeper made two easy saves from Matt Bau-mber and Ricky Dore, while Eve-sham restricted the home side to trying difficult passes to penetrate a sound defence.
Neil Sollis and Ben Brown were outstanding in defence, while Martin Husbands always provided opportunities to launch attacks from within the Evesham half.
Walsall were uncompromising in their tackling and Evesham felt aggrieved not to have been given more protection.
Seb Seneque was taken out of the game with a wild swing from, ironically, the eventual scorer and, while Evesham were in attack, their opponents were given the chance to play at the edges of the laws of the game to ensure a sound defence.
Evesham dominated possession in the second half but once again looked unlikely to score in open play when too many chances were miscontrolled while promising crosses and through balls seemed to find empty spaces.
The game seemed destined to end scoreless until a rare Walsall attack saw a blatant obstruction at the top of the area by an attacker. Despite making a legitimate attempt to make a tackle, Miller was penalised to the amazement of most players and the resulting corner was converted.
Evesham play host to Warwick on Saturday in what promises to be another close encounter at Evesham High School (2.30).
Coaching Solutions West Midlands Premier Division
P W L D F A Pts
Solihull Bloss 13 11 1 1 49 14 34
Finchfield 12 8 2 2 45 18 26
Stone 13 8 2 3 56 30 26
Warwick 13 7 4 2 48 26 25
Walsall 12 6 2 4 30 22 20
KH Pickwick 13 5 2 6 27 33 17
Kidderminster 13 4 2 7 26 52 14
Sikh Union* 12 9 1 2 45 26 13
Evesham 12 2 0 10 17 64 6
Droitwich 12 0 1 11 14 38 1
Old Hales 13 0 1 12 13 47 1
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