Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Redditch United came from behind to beat Evesham United 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at the Spiers & Hartwell Stadium, with Trialist B and Billy Fielding scoring after the break.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Evesham took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes. Striker Liggett found the net to put the Robins ahead, and they held that advantage through to the interval. The hosts went into the break 1-0 up, having controlled the opening period.
Redditch emerged a different side after the restart. An unnamed trialist — listed as Trialist B — levelled the score for the visitors, and Billy Fielding completed the turnaround with what proved to be the winner. The Reds' official X account confirmed: "Full time as we complete the second half comeback in our second friendly, Trialist B & Billy Fielding on the scoresheet."
The turning point
The half-time team talk from Redditch manager Mike Fowler — who took charge at the Valley Stadium in May 2025 after Tim Flowers departed for Alvechurch — transformed the contest. Evesham had been the sharper side in the first 45 minutes, but Redditch raised their intensity after the break, getting the equaliser early enough in the second half to build sustained pressure that eventually forced the winner.
Key performers
Billy Fielding (Redditch United) — the match-winner. The midfielder scored the decisive goal in the comeback, continuing his encouraging start to pre-season.
Trialist B (Redditch United) — the unnamed trialist provided the crucial equaliser that swung momentum back to the visitors. Pre-season friendlies at this level regularly feature trialists looking to earn a contract.
Liggett (Evesham United) — opened the scoring with a 10th-minute finish and was Evesham's most dangerous attacker on the night.
By the numbers — interpreted
Evesham led 1-0 at half-time, meaning Redditch's output in the second half was materially higher than their first-half performance. The 1-2 scoreline from a 1-0 half-time lead follows a familiar pattern in pre-season friendlies, where squad rotation, fitness workloads, and trialists entering the game often produce second-half momentum shifts. The attendance of 210 at the Spiers & Hartwell Stadium reflects the low-key nature of a midweek July friendly.
What it means
This was Redditch's second pre-season friendly of the 2026-27 campaign, following a 1-0 win over Chasetown on 5 July. They travel to Long Eaton United on 11 July before facing Sporting Club Inkberrow (14 July) and Flint Town United (18 July). Evesham, meanwhile, host Caerau Ely FC on 11 July in their next pre-season outing, followed by Worcester City (14 July) and Cheltenham Town (18 July). Both clubs compete in the Southern League Premier Division in the upcoming season — Redditch in the Central division, Evesham in the South.
Verdict
A routine pre-season friendly that followed a familiar script: the home side started brighter, took the lead, but were overrun by a sharper second-half performance from the visitors. Redditch's squad depth, bolstered by trialists looking to earn deals, proved the difference. Neither result nor performance will define the season ahead, but Fowler will be pleased with the character shown in the comeback.
Rivalry since 2014
Evesham United vs Redditch United Head to Head Results· 5
Evesham United and Redditch United have met 5 times — Evesham United won 2, Redditch United won 1, with 2 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2014. Evesham United leads the head-to-head with 2 victories from 5 meetings. A combined 7 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 1.40 per match (4 for the home side, 3 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 2 matches (40%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 1 game (20%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 1–2 in 2024.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 8 Jul 2026