[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A late Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist strike ensures the Farm leave Worcestershire with a point on Saturday afternoon, writes William Ledbury.
Fresh from their midweek victory against Willand Rovers on Wednesday, Lee Lashenko’s side travelled to Evesham full of confidence. The Farm were boosted by the return of defenders Sam Boulton and Mason Winter, despite losing Owen Howe and Steve Kingdon due to absence.
The match burst into life in the third minute when Manor Farm won themselves a corner through some excellent wide play from Kyle Tooze. The cross was fizzed in by Leigh-Gilchrist, but the home side managed to get the slightest of touches to clear the danger.
Tooze and Leigh-Gilchrist showed their early signs of dominance just moments later. Tooze played a neat one-two with his strike partner, but his finish was a poor one, clearing the Evesham bar.
Midway through the first period, the match entered a scrappy phase with both sides falling victim to fouls. The imperious Tooze took a whack to the face, but that wasn’t going to stop the forward from causing the Evesham defence havoc.
Manor Farm thought they’d taken the lead on 30 minutes when Ben Bament rounded the home keeper, but a backtracking defender did well to clear the ball off the line.
After some strong words from both sides when the players left the field, Manor Farm came out in the second period with a real impetus to win the match. Leigh-Gilchrist controlled the ball excellent, but his strike somehow failed to cross the line after smashing the underside of the bar.
It looked like Evesham stole the all important three points late on when Tom Chamberlain capitalised on a poor clearance. The midfielder stole the ball from Farm defender Josh Ford, and drilled a low effort past Ben John.
Manor Farm wouldn’t let that goal dishearten them, as they spoiled the home side’s afternoon with a last-gasp equaliser. Substitute and Under-18 player Luco Ponsillo found Leigh-Gilchrist in the area, and the dynamic forward made no mistake in putting the ball into the net.
STAR MAN: Kyle Tooze[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]