United's slide continues (From Evesham Journal)

United's slide continues

12:20pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Oxford City 3, Evesham United 0.

BOTH sides went into last night's game desperately looking for points but Evesham United paid the price for missing a host of chances to hand Oxford their first win in seven games in the Zamaretto League Premier Division.

Still reeling from their 4-0 drubbing at rock-bottom Rugby Town three days earlier, Oxford looked shaky at the start and were lucky to still be on level terms inside the opening 10 minutes.

Twice, Evesham striker Josh McKenzie failed to make the most of one-on-ones with City keeper Jonathan North.

Simon Fitter then delivered a cross to North’s near post which leading scorer Marcus Palmer prodded just wide.

McKenzie was again left with just North to beat but shot wildly over. Oxford capitalised on the succession of fluffed opportunities by scoring twice in five minutes before half-time.

Keeper Richard Mace, deputising for the unavailable Nathan Vaughan, failed to hold Mark Bell’s shot and the experienced Lee Steele followed up to score.

Harry Harding made it 2-0 shortly after, leaving Evesham with an uphill battle in the second-half.

They could have reduced the deficit in their first attack. Palmer rolled the ball across the face of North's goal but substitute Dexter Ravenhill side-footed wide from six yards.

But on 70 minutes the game was over as a contest when Jamie Brooks scored the hosts’ third after a neat pass from Steele.

To cap a miserable night for the Robins, Palmer had his 88th- minute penalty saved by North after Mark Hands had been brought down in the box by Andy Gunn.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)