04/08/2024
By Chris Gibbs
Castle kick off season with hard earned cup draw
Evesham United 1 - Moran (41)
Newcastle Town 1 - Jones (31)
It became a battle as the second half wore on, but ultimately we came through a stern examination at Evesham and have another chance to progress against the same opponents in the FA Cup on Tuesday following a 1-1 draw yesterday.
On a day which was hot if not sweltering, the game got off to a steady start but before long we started to take the initiative – the first decent chance of the game falling to Nathan Barry who managed to get in between the home side’s two centre halves from a pinpoint Jack Sherratt through ball. Under pressure his lob cleared the bar.
Slinny was called into action for the first time after 19 minutes – Josh Barlow caught his shot cleanly enough, but the big man had little difficulty in keeping it out.
We continued to have the lion’s share of possession with half chances for Sherratt, Isaac Graham and a far tougher headed chance falling to another new signing Guilherme Baltazar.
We took a deserved lead on 31 minutes when we recycled possession down the left – where new signing Ben Woods started brightly – and Jake Twyford’s cross was converted from close range by Tom Jones.
Briefly, it seemed we might add to our advantage – Nathan Barry trying his luck with a shot and then turning creator with a fine cross which didn’t find a teammate.
But the hosts were also starting to find their feet, although it was still a surprise when they equalised four minutes before the break – a fine lob from Ethan Moran catching Slinny off his line.
Neil Baker was forced to ring the changes at half time with Jake Twyford, having picked up a knock just before the break, making way for Callum Besford.
Seven minutes after the interval Bakes made another change with Andre Robinson replacing Baltazar.
Shortly after our second change we ought to have retaken the lead and would have done so had our big no.9 Nathan Barry not been denied at point blank range by a wondrous save from Alex Harris.
Gradually though the home team began to flex their muscles. A tremendous late stretch and tackle from Kyle Stubbs to deny Evesham sub Harry White was the start of the onslaught, which peaked when a scuffed shot came back off one post before Slinny got a fingertip onto the other in the same phase of play to keep it at one apiece.
On balance, a draw was a fair result. We had much the better of the first 45 minutes while our hosts finished the stronger. Just as we did last season, we’ll need a replay to progress to the next round.
Team:
Slinn, Baltazar, (Robinson 53), Woods, Sherratt, Thorley, Stubbs, Graham, T. Van der Laan, Barry, Jones (Ritchie 78), Twyford, (Besford 46), J. Van der Laan (78).
Man of the match: Jack Sherratt
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