Sandhu sees red as Barwell pegged back

FA CUP

BARWELL were made to work hard to avoid defeat in this FA Cup first qualifying round tie away at Evesham. writes Murray Dworkin.

Having taken a two goal lead before half-time, they were twicepeggedbackandreduced to ten men for the last quarter hour of proceedings.

As early as the third minute, with the hosts pushing forwards, a bullet header from a corner from Evesham captain Matt Sysom found Owen Story on the line and he was able to head away.

The Robins continued to take the initiative and shots from Lewis Binns and Elliot Kennedy had the away defence working hard with Max SmithVarnham in particular in the action in goal.

An audacious lob from with- between Newstock and Plough Inn, ended in a 5-2 victory for the visitors.

An impressive final 25 minutes and goals from Jamie Dexter (2), man of the match Kyle Sperry (2) and Jacob Pick sealed victory for Plough Inn.

A tight game between Royal Oak Bitteswell and MP Steel finished 3-2 with goals from Simon Corey (2) and Steve Elliot scooping the three points.

The Anchor Inn overcome a battling Wykin side 3-2 in a cagey affair involving missed penalties for both sides.

Kyle Wainde and Chris Ridley (2) on target for the Anchor with Corey Shilton and Matt Broughton scorers for Wykin.

In Division Three, AFC Barn and Newstock Res shared the in his own half had Bradley from Sandhu on Syson saw As the conditions worsened Williams trying to catch Smithhim lucky to escape a card with the rain, Evesham pushed Varnham off his line but, luckfrom referee Mr Gould with harder for the equaliser and a ily for the Canaries, the ball the vociferous crowd baying free-kick from Mann was went wide. for blood. headed on but Eddy Nisevic

Then against the run of play, On the hour, Story’s cross was well placed to clear off the a run into theline.penaltyareafoundChrisSpencerwhose from Amar Sandhu drew a shot from 20 yards had Sawyer With 13 minutes remaining penalty for Barwell as the down well at his post to push Sandhu ran through into the pacey winger went down the ball out for a corner. box and went down apparentunder the challenge of Linden After 65 minutes Evesham ly under a challenge but Mr. Dovey. Brady Hickey stepped started to regain the upper Gould was not convinced and up and sent keeper Kevin Sawhand and a Leon Jeanne shot showed a second yellow card yer the wrong way. forced an excellent save from to Sandhu for simulation, thus

Evesham tried hard to pull Smith-Varnam just touching dismissing him. back the goal with Adam the ball round his post. This was the incentive that Mann in particular threatenThen as a goalmouth scramEvesham needed and just four ing the Barwell goal but Smithble threatened the Barwell minutes later they equalised Varnham and his defence were goal, Lance Smith shot goalwhen a ball from the right from equal to the task. wards and Story sliced his Leon Jeanne was tucked in by

As the game approached clearance into the Canaries’ Smith for his and Evesham’s half-time, a through ball from goal. second. Hickey found Story who did Three minutes later a Ben The Robins continued to try well to sidestep Sawyer and Ward-Cochrane cross looped and find a winner and at the poke home from 10 yards to invitingly across the box and last Barwell had to be on their give Barwell an unlikely scoreSandhu appeared to head past guard as a goalmouth scramline at the break. the post but the referee spotble was cleared under

As the game settled down ted a handball and showed a immense pressure but the after the break, a challenge yellow card to Sandhu. Canaries held on.