EVESHAM United drew a blank in their first Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West home match of 2013 with a 0-0 draw against Cirencester Town.

There was little quality to excite the 223 spectators who braved the cold amid a biting wind to witness one of only six games in the division to survive the weather.

The sterling work of United’s groundsman and a band of volunteers, who shifted snow off the pitch 24 hours before kick-off, enabled the game to go ahead following a morning inspection at the Spiers and Hartwell Jubilee Stadium.

Leading scorer Marcus Palmer returned to Evesham’s starting line-up, while midfielder Simon Fitter was on the bench after serving a three-match ban and skipper Matt Sysum faced his former club for the first time.

The Centurions looked the sharper in the first-half with Leigh Henry and Ben Wells going close and Ellis Dunton thumping a header against the United crossbar.

The second period was scrappy with both sides guilty of giving the ball away.

Evesham goalkeeper Tom Cross was at full stretch to get a hand to Aiden Bennett’s drive, while a couple of halfchances fell the Robins’ way which went unconverted.

Cirencester pressed in the closing stages looking for the breakthrough but fell short.

With Sysum controlling the play at the back, the Robins saw off the threat to register only their second home draw this season. Meanwhile, two Evesham games postponed due to the weather have now been rearranged.

The Robins make the long trip to Poole Town on Tuesday, February 19, and host Wimborne Town on Tuesday, March 5.

Firstly, Evesham have two more home games in a row against sides close to them in the table, hosting Mangotsfield United on Saturday (3pm) and Abingdon United next Tuesday (7.45pm).

They are then on the road at Winchester City on Saturday, February 9.

Evesham: Cross, Wilson, Hyde, Sysum, Clarke, Blake, Downing (Fitter 79), Adkins, Palmer, Brown (Kandekore 74), Gayton.

Subs not used: Spence, Edwards, Dell.

Attendance: 223.

  • Evesham United Supporters’ Club host a prize bingo night in the clubhouse tomorrow, starting at 7.30pm.