Evesham United 5-2 Bromsgrove Sporting
Saturday 30th August 2025
Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round
Match Report: By Simon Purfield
Evesham United staged a fantastic comeback in the second half, securing their place in the next round of the Emirates FA Cup Qualifying Round in an exciting Worcestershire derby.
In the opening 13 minutes, Bromsgrove Sporting, with the wind behind them, started the stronger side, registering three efforts on goal but were unable to truly test Evesham's goalkeeper, Jenson Kilroy.
Despite unfavourable weather conditions, Evesham found their rhythm, and, in the 17th minute, a move initiated by Cameron Walters and Amer Awadh released the ball wide to Will Owens. Owens delivered a cross which was not properly cleared, and Levi Steele capitalised to put Evesham ahead.
Bromsgrove Sporting responded with greater control in the first half. Kobe Hall came close in the 22nd minute and soon after had a goal disallowed for offside, having put away the rebound from a saved Tom Edge effort.
Their pressure paid off around the half-hour mark when Clayton-Phillips curled a shot from just outside the box into the top corner, drawing the visitors level. Bromsgrove then took the lead two minutes later as Hall's effort was parried by Kilroy and Shaw converted the follow-up. Jack Kelly almost added another with a well-struck free kick in the 38th minute, but Kilroy tipped it over the bar.
As the half drew to a close, Evesham created chances through Awadh and Owens but were unable to convert.
Switching sides, Evesham now had the wind and rain at their backs. Early pressure resulted in two corners, one of which led to a Reegan Messenger header that was cleared off the line.
Bromsgrove Sporting threatened again as Hall's shot in the 52nd minute was kept out, set up by Shaw—this proved to be their best opportunity after the break.
Evesham responded swiftly. In the 53rd minute, Messenger scrambled home the equaliser from close range after Wright's effort was saved following a corner from Owens.
Messenger doubled his tally just minutes later, finishing from close range thanks to a pinpoint pass from Heap. Evesham continued to press, and in the 63rd minute, Wright controlled a long ball down the left flank, cut into the box, beat his marker, and fired low past the goalkeeper to make it 4-2.
Messenger came close to a hat-trick in the 76th minute, sending a header just wide from a Barlow shot.
As injury time approached, Dunbar broke down the right and played a selfless pass across the goal for Middleton, who sealed the victory by scoring into an open net.
The draw was made earlier today for the Second Round Qualifying which pitches us against Racing Club Warwick FC from the Pitching In Northern Premier League, the match takes place at Townsend Meadow, Hampton Road, Warwick CV34 6JP on Saturday 13th September with a 3 pm kick-off.
ROBINS STARTING X1:
1 Jenson Kilroy (GK), 4 Josh Barlow, 6 Ioan Richards, 8 Reegan Messenger 54′ 55′ (90′ 20 Ryan Hayes), 9 Levi Steele 17′ (68′ 17 Ethan Dunbar), 10 Amer Awadh (c) (66′ 16 Lewis Middleton 89′), 12 Andre Wright 63′ (82′ 11 Brandon Liggett), 14 Will Owens, 15 Jyrel Bojang, 18 Jamar Smith (55′ 7 Aaron Heap), 19 Cameron Walters
ROBINS UNUSED SUBSTITUTES:
13 Brendan Beard
ATTENDANCE:
429
