STRIKER Dave Reynolds has left Evesham United with manager Carl Abbott citing a lack of “chemistry”.

The summer signing bagged goals in his opening two matches, starting one with the second coming from the bench before featuring as a substitute in United’s next four outings.

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The ex-Worcester City and Malvern Town hotshot was unused in Sunday’s home FA Cup defeat to Dorchester Town and the next day took to Twitter to say it was “probably time for a fresh start”.

 

 

And Abbott confirmed after Wednesday’s penalty shootout success over Daventry Town in the Southern League Cup that Reynolds would be moving on.

“Dave and I have spoken. It was an amicable conversation where we felt it had run its course,” said Abbott.

“The chemistry hasn’t been right really. Dave is a good player but I don’t think the way we play necessarily suits his game.

“There is a bigger picture to it. We play a fairly complex system, you have Chilly (Lee Chilton) and the wide men linking off the front and they have not struck up a chemistry with Reyno.

“It is one of those things and in his interests to go. He is not a young or inexperienced player, he will do great job somewhere that he wants to play.

“The more I saw him sat frustrated on the bench the more I felt it could end ugly so we had a chat.

“There was nothing barbed or nasty and I have to say his attitude has been exemplary. He has not been a minute’s trouble when not playing but I know what he is thinking, he wants to play.

“He has knuckled down and not given us a problem, we just agreed that it would probably bubble over across the next few weeks to the point where he would leave anyway so it was for the best.”

Chilton rescued Evesham a 1-1 draw with Daventry with a leveller two minutes from time.

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Matt Dodd had United’s opening penalty saved but Town failed to register from their first too with Paul Sullivan, Jordon Sangha, Dan Bragoli and Chilton all converting to win 4-2 from the spot, even if Abbott felt his side had got out of jail.

“I thought we were poor to be honest,” said Abbott.

“We toiled in the first half, got a bit disorganised and gave away chances. I think we missed players in key areas, Ryan Paddock and Junior Smikle.

“That lack of experience showed and we were lucky to come away with anything. I did hope and expect us to cope a little better than we did.

“The changes took Brags (Dan Bragoli) out of midfield and it became evident how important he is to us."

The absences gave Abbott an opportunity to test out a new shape as he looks for ways to unlock opponents that sit deeper.

“There was an element of experimentation, a different system and some lads needed starts," he added.

“The game against Slimbridge got me thinking about an alternative system, I was not looking to change it but they pulled a masterstroke by sitting behind the ball.

“We are a counter-attacking team really, we like to play with width and pace and exploit space behind but if a team doesn’t come out that isn’t there and you end up playing in front of them.

“When that happens I don’t feel we get enough bodies in the box and that can be quite easy to defend against. It always suits us better when teams come to beat us."