Match 13. Evesham United v Bromley

Saturday 25^th October 2014 @3pm

FA Cup4th Qualifying Round

EVESHAM UNITED 1-2 BROMLEY

Jubilee Stadium, Cheltenham Road, Evesham

Admission: £9

Programme: £2 (good issue)

Attendance: 811

Refreshments: Cider, £3.10

I had the opportunity of taking the official supporters coach from Bromley for a reasonable £20 and was dropped off at Hayes Lane for 8.30 to get a £3.80 breakfast and tea before the coach departure at 9.30.  Safely sitting on the coach just after 9.00 when the coach driver reversed to let the team coach get by and drove over a steel bollard, scraping underneath the coach.  A replacement coach was called for which meant we didn’t leave until 10.45.  Hitting traffic delays on M25 and M40 we counted ourselves fortunate to arrive 25 minutes before kick-off.  The driver took the banter well as he reversed in the Evesham car park.

I just had time for a quick pint before the match started, the clubhouse to the left of the turnstiles was heaving so had no idea what cider it was. The 2 year old ground has been spoken about quite a lot and I too was disappointed in the finished product. A wooden fence surrounds the stadium and the only elevated view is the bland seated stand which has no obstructions as long as you avoid the first 3 rows. The rest of the surround is tarmacked hard standing, with a set back standing cover behind the near goal which kept the supporters flags dry but redundant for the supporters who stood at the plastic perimeter barrier as again no elevation. The ground may delight the ground graders but not the viewing public.  However, the staff and fans were a good welcoming bunch.

Bromley took the lead on their first attack. Danny Waldron side footing the ball home after being set up by Louis Dennis. If Bromley thought this was the start of an easy game, they were much mistaken.  Evesham had 3 good chances in the next 20 minutes. Seb Brown made a superb save from an Evesham shot by Washington, then watched an effort sail over the bar before stopping a dribble and shot by Kennedy. Bromley should have gone 2 up but Ademola fired wide with plenty of space to get one on target. Evesham went into the break level as from a corner Edenborough headed across the goal into the far corner of the net.

Evesham almost took the lead at the beginning of the second half as a volley was tipped over by Brown.  Then Bromley got the decisive goal when from a corner Waldron headed in from 8 yards. The last 30 minutes plus stoppage time had Bromley on the rack, but thanks to last ditch tackling, blocking shots and another great save from Brown, Bromley survived to make their name on ball 77 for the 1^st round proper.

After the match I didn’t fancy the ruck at the bar again or flimsy plastic vessel so, as the coach wouldn’t leave until 6, I took a walk into town which took half an hour. Time for a quick Guinness at the Royal Oak (£3.20) before walking back. I didn’t partake in food at the ground although there was a queue before and at half time serving the usual burgers, hot dogs and chips. Glad I took a packed lunch to supplement my early breakfast.  Arrived back at Bromley not long after nine and ended up in the newly refurbished Ravens Bar to round off the trip before being picked up and home before 10pm.