The Bucks are into the fourth qualifying round for the first time in eight years after beating Evesham United 4-1 at the SEAH Stadium.

The Bucks made a positive start and were forcing Evesham back early on, so it was something of a surprise when the Robins took the lead on 13 minutes. The visitors sent a low ball in from the right to the near post that was sent goalwards by Robins captain Amer Awadh, and the ball found it’s way into the net via a deflection.

Kevin Wilkin’s men weren’t behind for long though; less than a minute, in fact. The Bucks went straight down the other end, with Adan George putting a tricky ball into the box. Ioan Richards was on hand to head away for Evesham, but his header crashed against Josh Barlow, who was running back towards his own goal, and the ball bounced past Alex Harris into the net.

The Bucks then looked to take the game by the scruff of the neck and really should have taken the lead. Remi Walker (twice) and Charlie Williams both had good chanced to score, but credit to Harris and the Evesham backline, who were doing all they could to throw their bodies in the way to keep the Bucks at bay. And shortly before half time the Robins suddenly took the game Telford, Josh Gracey superbly denying Awadh before thwarting Jyrel Bojang shortly afterwards. 1-1 at the break.

Both sides began the second period brightly, but the first big chance of the half fell to Adan George. A deflected shot fell to George in a great position, but the Bucks forward delayed slighty, allowing Harris to come out and smoother his effort.

Wilkin’s men were in front not too long later, though. As the Bucks looked to break, Harris came off his line to clear the danger as Dylan Allen-Hadley closed in. But the keeper’s clearance went straight to Walker, who expertly lofted the ball beautifully back over Harris’ head from 30 yards out, perfectly clearing an Evesham defender on the six yard line to find the net. 2-1 Telford in the 62nd minute.

The game then opened up a bit more, as the Robins looked for an equaliser. But it was the Bucks who got the next goal, and in doings so effectively put the game to bed. In the 83rd minute, Allen-Hadley was scythed down in the box by Aaron Heap, and Matty Stenson confidently stepped up to drive his penalty into the bottom corner.

Stenson then put the gloss on the result by making it 4-1 in added time. With the Bucks surging forward, Ricardo Dinanga fired in a shot that Harris did well to parry, but the ball fell to Stenson who, with his back to goal, hooked a fine finish past Harris and into the Evesham net.

The 4-1 win sees Wilkin’s men into hat for Monday’s draw, with the Bucks advancing to the fourth qualifying round for the first tme since 2017-18.