Chichester City are below par in defeat at Evesham
Ten-man Evesham shut out Chichester City thanks to goals from Jyrel Bojang and a double either side of the break by Brandon Liggett as the Sussex side put in a sub-par performance in Worcestershire.
City started Max Evans between the sticks behind skipper Rob Hutchings at left-back with Emmett Dunn on the other side. Without the absent Ben Pashley, Ryan Davidson accompanied Curtis Da Costa in the centre of the defence.
Joe Clarke, Joe Moore, Lloyd Rowlatt and Harry Bridle lined up in midfield alongside Brandon Chebby and Jake Lawrence up top. James Sweet, Noah Africa, Henry Nevill and Isaac Bello were on the subs’ bench.
Davidson was fouled early on by the influential Thomas Conteh, on loan from Forest Green. Moore got dispossessed on four minutes but Evans saved the eventual shot as the Robins pressed at the Spiers & Hartwell Stadium.
Joe Clarke was felled for a Chi free kick and the hosts were also awarded one strangely for an apparent misdemeanour by Hutchings.
Chebby struck one narrowly over the bar off a defender for the first corner. This was delivered by Rowlatt, although it came to nothing.
Liam Hutt, Evesham’s right back, gave away a corner which Dunn was unable to direct towards goal. Davidson picked up the first card of the game for a tackle on Conteh.
A pass by Josh Barlow didn’t cause any problems for Chi and Josh McConnell’s neat turn and shot got blocked on 14 before Chebby didn’t really get off a shot or cross.
Hutchings easily shepherded a long goal kick from Brendan Beard into touch. Conteh then crossed and captain Amer Awadh headed off target before Conteh fired wide.
Awadh, the Worcestershire side’s stand-out player, dragged an effort wide and Dunn got done by McConnell on 29 but Davidson cleared.
Da Costa intercepted following a slick Robins move and Clarke redirected a Liggett cross for an Evesham corner.
The home side took the lead through a scrappy Bojang goal after City failed to clear their lines.
Hutchings’ set-piece after Dunn was fouled resulted in a goalmouth scramble but no-one could capitalise on the loose ball before the hosts made it 2-0 through Liggett’s first with five to go until half time.
Mike Ford’s men had to retake a free-kick which was finally cleared by Chi and Chebby struck a thunderous shot just wide of the post.
Aaron Heap hit a cross too high and Davidson wasn’t far off after Bridle won City a corner on the stroke of half time.
Rocco Sughayer came on for scorer Bojang at the interval. Beard tipped over Lawrence’s attempt before Conteh’s cross was stabbed home by Liggett from close range on 48 to make it 3-0.
Da Costa got caught by Conteh moments later for which the No12 was booked. Dunn hooked away a Hutt header and Lawrence spurned an opportunity after a nice ball from Bridle.
Bello replaced Rowlatt ten minutes into the second period. Lawrence had his shirt tugged for a Chi set-piece which got fired straight into the wall.
Conteh was replaced by Sopuru Obieri on the hour and Hutchings’ corner sailed just over Clarke’s head at the back stick.
Dunn and Clarke were replaced by Sweet and Africa and when Lawrence was upended by Sughayer, the ref had no option but to send him off on 73. Neat play by Sweet almost set up a City goal and Hutchings blasted a free-kick into the wall.
Bridle was replaced by Nevill on 80 minutes and Davidson headed the ball into Beard’s arms.
Lawrence hit a poor cross and fired an effort off target – then Chebby and Hutchings nearly combined but Beard intercepted. Moore’s mistake allowed Anthony McCormick to get in but he fired over the bar. Nevill hit the post in time added on.
Chi welcome Chippenham Town to Oaklands Park on Saturday (August 22, 3pm).