2007/8
Redditch take the cup
Worcester City’s chance to claim the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup for the first time since 1997 failed on the twin planks of fragile defending and poor finishing. The latter would not have mattered too much if the defence had held firm as City went into the game with a one goal lead from the first leg. However the defensive fragilities that have haunted the Lane all season returned with a vengeance as atrocious defending handing the visitors two easy goals in the first half.
Indeed it was a first half to forget if you were a home fan as City were so far off the pace there were times when it looked embarrassing. The only effort on goal during the first 45 minutes being a fierce shot from Nick Colley that was tipped over the bar by the Redditch keeper.
As has happened so many times this season we saw a totally different City in the second half so much so that at times it was hard to believe the same players were on the pitch. Redditch were pinned back into their own half of the field for most of the time and resorted to the familiar tactics of blatant time wasting and cynical fouls as they sought to keep out the eager City forwards who were breaking through a tiring defence at will to rain in shots on a overstetched Redditch keeper. The referee, who had an excellent game, needed eyes in the back of his head as he awarded City a string of free kicks that heaped more pressure on the visiting defence. The introduction of Troy Wood mid way through the half further improved City’s performance and it seemed only a matter of time before City scored. However it was not to be as by sheer good fortune the Redditch goal remained intact to leave a final aggregate score of Redditch 2 City 1
Worcester City - Gainsborough Trinity - Saturday 5th April 2008
City end on disappointing note
Worcester City’s home league season ended on a disappointing note after a goal mid way through the second half by Gainsborough’s proved to be the only score of the game.
A blustery wind, inept referee and a rock hard playing surface combined to make it very difficult for either side to find any momentum but on the balance of chances Gainsborough Trinity just about deserved their victory.
The visitors started quite brightly but found the City keeper, Cameron Belford, in fine form as he made a couple of good saves. It was not all one sided though and City should have had a penalty when Mark Danks was flattened in the box by a Gainsborough defender who clearly had no intention of going for the ball. The referee though waved aside the penalty and then appeared to suggest it might have been a dive by the City forward although he took no action which was symptomatic of his performance all afternoon.
The best chance of the first half fell to City, Gary Walker, who narrowly failed to head home from close range during City’s best period of play in the game.
There was little to choose between the sides as the game progressed into the second half and it appeared to be heading for a goalless draw. With around thirty minutes of the game left the City manager, Richard Dryden, having his eyes firmly set upon Monday’s important first leg of the Worcestershire Senior Cup withdrew Matt Dinsmore, Rapinder Gill and Mark Danks in favour of David Burtoft, Rory May and Will Ricketts.
Gainsborough then broke away to score the only goal of the game, when Jon Monday was only able to clear a dangerous cross straight to Liam Needham who scored from close range with the fans on the Brookside left only to debate a possible hand ball in the build up to the goal.
With Redditch United seemingly in good form after winning away from home Worcester now need to raise their game on Monday.
Worcester City - Burscough - Saturday 1st March 2008
City stun Linnets
Burscough FC (The Linnets) made their first ever visit to St George's Lane and went home pointless after a late Craig Wilding goal handed City a narrow 2-1 win. After home wins against Kettering Town and a 5-0 defeat of Leigh RMI in midweek, Burscough were certainly favourites to continue their seven game winning streak that had seen them move up to eighth place in the Blue Square North table. With a fierce wind blowing in their favour it took the visitors only eight minutes to open their account when a fine left wing cross was superbly headed home by Matty Parry.
For a while City seemed unable to cope with the strength of the Burscough defence with Farrell Kilbane, the former Stafford Rangers centre back, in outstanding form. Slowly though City began to find their men with greater regularity but it took a superb strike on 31 minutes to restore parity. City won a corner at the dressing end of the ground which was intelligently driven into the penalty area by George Clegg resulting in panic in the defence that saw the ball cleared off the line by Sean Clancy but only as far as the left edge of the penalty area where midfielder Gary Walker was lurking and he struck a superb shot into the roof the net for his first goal for the club. City ended the first half well on top and both Chris Smith and Jon Munday had good chances to give City the lead.
The second half belonged firmly to the home team who were able to take full advantage of the wind and by keeping the ball at their feet rather than up in the air City gradually took control of the game.
Burscough's defence had hoisted the distress signals with fully 20 minutes of the game remaining as they were unable to hold back the flow of the ball towards their goal. When they did get a chance to clear the ball the wind brought it firmly back towards their goal. City got their reward 13 minutes from the end of the game when Craig Wilding, despite being have his shirt pulled, broke clear of the defence to drove a superb left foot volley past the helpless keeper.
City survived the odd late scare as Burscough's trio of substitutes put some life back into their game but City fully deserved the win
Worcester v Vauxhall Motors - Monday 25th Febraury 2008
City return to winning ways
The final score line of City 1 Vauxhall Motors 0 does nothing to show the superiority of City’s football over their relegation threatened opponents. Such was City’s domination that City keeper, Cameron Belford could have stayed in the dressing room for the whole of the first and he was called into action for the one and only time ten minutes from the end of the game to save a weakly hit lob from Paul Taylor. For the rest of the game he might not as well have been on the field as city’s defence which was in superb form with the back four operating as a well marshalled unit who quickly blocked out what little threat was posed by Vauxhall.
City were superior in every department including midfield with every player giving 100% as City played fast and fluid football that led to them creating numerous goal scoring opportunities. Any early nerves there might been in from the city youngsters was quickly dispelled with a rare early goal – the first by any City player before half time this year!. George Clegg’s right wing free kick was tamely cleared by a Vauxhall defender straight to Graham Ward on the right wing and his cross saw Chris Smith glide between two static defenders to deftly head the ball into the corner of the net giving the visitors keeper no chance to make a save.
After the goal there never seemed any likelihood that Vauxhall would get back into their game and indeed it was only the brilliance of the visitors on-loan goalkeeper, Andrew Murphy, that kept the score down to 1-0. In one spell late in the second the crowd could only gasp in admiration as he brought off three magnificent one handed saves in quick succession. During the same period, Craig Wilding who hit the bar on Saturday continued in the same vein but this time striking an effort off the foot of the post.
Whilst it would seem churlish to mention individual players in a team that was firing on all cylinders special mention must be made of Rapinder Gill who seemed in his element at left back, Troy Wood also operating on the left who was so fast defenders were unable to catch up with him and Matt Dinsmore who was within a whisker of scoring on at least three instances.
Man of the match though was Vauxhall’s keeper Andrew Murphy who received an ovation from the City fans at the end of the game.
Worcester City - Hucknall Town - Saturday 9th February 2008
City fail to shine in the sun
Struggling Hucknall Town belied their lowly league position to record a double over an out of sorts City team who never really got going against a strong visiting back four.
The only goal of the game was scored by Danny Bacon mid way through the second half after a fine break down the City right and it broke the midfield stalemate that had seen most of the game go by without much in the way of goalmouth action.
The first half was a fairly forgettable affair as City's diminutive strike force was given little chance with a succession of high balls aimed hopefully into the Hucknall penalty area. Indeed we had to wait until almost half time before either side got a shot on goal and even then Graham Ward's header flew over the bar.
Things improved a bit after the interval as City finally started to find their feet and the home team was unlucky when a Jon Munday header rebounded into the visiting keeper's hands off the Huchnall crossbar.
However it proved to be the closest City came to finding the net in the game and shortly afterwards Bacon stole all three points for the visitors.
City's customary late fightback failed to materialise although Craig Wilding nearly poached an equaliser but his crisp ground shot was well saved by Greg Smith in the Hucknall goal to leave a final score of City 0 Hucknall Town 1.
On Tuesday City travel to play promotion hopefuls Nuneaton Borough in a league fixture which has been rearranged after the original game last month had ended in darkness after the floodlights had failed with City losing by two goals to nil.
Worcester City - Blyth Spartans - Saturday nd February 2008
City Storm Back Again
For the second successive home fixture City found themselves losing by two goals but like Workington before them Blyth Spartans soon found out that nothing is beyond the home team as City staged a storming second half comeback to claim a point.
There was a very strong wind blowing towards the canal end but surprising all four goals came at the other end of the goal. Blyth Spartans took the lead in the second minute of the game whilst much of the crowd was still moving from one end to the other. It was rather too easy for Chris McCabe who had plenty of time and space in the City penalty area to place a neat ground shot past Cameron Belford.
City struggled hard to get back on level terms but most shots sailed harmlessly over the Blyth bar or were saved by Adam Bartlett in the visitors goal.
Blyth must have thought that Christmas had come early this year when they were awarded a very soft penalty when deep in first half stoppage time the referee adjudged that Cameron Belford had brought down a Blyth forward. The City keeper was booked for his trouble and he was given little chance to save Robert Dale's spot kick.
It was all change though in the second half as City starting playing the ball along the ground rather than in the air as in the first half. It came as no surprise when Matt Dinsmore turned home a right wing cross after a period of sustained City pressure.
City's new signing, David Burtoft had replaced Chris Smith early in the second half and he capped a dream debut with a magnificent equalising goal on 64 minutes. The visiting keeper did get his hands to Burtoft's 20 yard shot but could not prevent it from going into the net.
The remainder of the game was a very open affair with both sides creating chances although neither were able to conjure up a winning goal to leave a final score of City 2 Blyth Spartans 2.
Worcester City - Workington Town - Saturday 19th January 2008
City Storm Back
City's fighting qualities again came to the rescue as they stormed back from a two goal deficit to claim a point from a highly entertaining game at rain soaked St George's Lane.
Workington were gifted an early lead when a mix up between Ryan Clarke and Cameron Belford ended with the ball rebounding off Workington striker Johnny Wright and into the back of the City net. It was Workington's one and only chance in a first half dominated by City. Injuries and suspensions have had a devastating effect on City since Christmas and things were no better today with Mark Danks added to the injury list – his place being taken by Matt Dinsmore. Dinsmore and Webster grew in confidence as the first half progressed and were well served by the superb City midfield players. City were unlucky not to be in front by the break as Adam Webster's great strike was ruled out by a linesman's offside flag. Jon Munday saw two good chances to equalise go narrowly wide whilst Adam Webster blasted over when well placed. It proved to be his last action of the game as he was unable to continue after the interval.
With Gary Walker on for Webster, City were looking a little thin on the striking front. The second half continued in much the same vein as the first and with City dominating proceedings little was seen of Workington as an attacking force. Workington though went further in front with a wonder goal from fully 25 yards when midfielder Graham Anthony tried his luck. It proved to be Workington's only shot of the second half and as the half progressed they sat back further and further surrendering territory at will to City. Rapinder Gill made a welcome return to the team when he came on with 20 minutes left.
City's fightback started in the 79th minute with a scrambled goal by Emeka Nwadike with the ball seeming to hit him after Workington failed to clear the ball out of their box. The same player scored City's equaliser on 86 minutes after Jamie Price had launched the ball across the Workington box.
There was still time for Nwadike to get the ball into the visitors net again but this was also ruled out for offside.
Both teams deserve credit for playing good exciting football in appalling conditions and a draw was a fair result.
Worcester City - Nuneaton Town - Saturday 12th January 2008
Failed Floodlights End Game
The lights quite literally went out on City eleven minutes from the end of the first ever visit to Nuneaton Borough's new ground The ground, in the middle of an industrial park at Liberty Way,. is only partly completed and plays host to both the football and rugby clubs. Indeed the latter had been scheduled to play at home immediately after the football had finished.
The game itself never rose above the ordinary but City were up against it within six minutes of the start when a neat passing move down the City right set up a good opportunity for Matty Collins who scored with a low shot. City seemed unable to get going on a very heavy pitch and things almost got worse on 29 minutes when from Nuneaton's first corner of the game a fierce shot was well save by Cameron Belford and the City crossbar. However Nuneaton did score again two minutes later when a hotly disputed Nuneaton free kick, that had initially been awarded to Worcester, was deflected into the path of Bradley Pritchard who appeared to be in an offside position scored from close range.
City at last got going and were unlucky not to reduce the arrears before half time when Ryan Clarke's close range header from a Jamie Price free kick was well saved by Darren Acton.
Nick Colley replaced the struggling Mark Danks at half time and this seems to give City more bite in midfield. City created a string of half chances, most of which ended with a Nuneaton defender conceding a corner but Darren Acton was also called into action several times. City's best move of the match ended with a last gasp goal line save by Acton after it seemed he had been beaten at his near post.
City were well on top when half of the floodlights went out. The referee took the players off the pitch and eventually after a twenty minute delay power was restored to the lights. The players again warmed up and the game duly restarted, and in a rare Nuneaton attack the ball hit the City crossbar. This however proved to be virtually the last action of the game as the lights again failed. With the ever present possibility of a serious injury to a player if they were again asked to warm up and restart after another lengthy delay, the referee had no choice but to call off the game, by which time most of the fans had already left the ground.
Worcester City v Hinckley United - Saturday 5th January 2008
City leave it late
Struggling visitors Hinckley United might feel somewhat aggrieved to leave St George’s Lane pointless after an 80th minute goal from a former City man, Leon Jackson, looked to have earned them a much needed draw. However and not for the first time this season City’s ability to raise their game in the final few minutes paid a dividend when the Captain, Ekeka Nwadike, swooped to power home an unstoppable header in the second minute of stoppage time.
City’s injury problems continue and on-loan defender Jonathan Munday started the game whilst another on-loan player, former city midfielder Jamie Hyde, was on the bench.
City though were boosted by the return of George Clegg in midfield and there was also a place in the starting line-up for Gary Walker.
One of the problems in recent games has been that the City midfield has defended too deep and often handed the initiative to their opponents so it was pleasing to note that the midfield took on a more positive approach than in the recent defeats.
The first half belonged firmly to City who carved out several good chances most notably to Mark Danks whose fierce shot was superbly saved by Sean Bowles in the Hinckley goal. The best chance though fell to Ekeka Nwadike who danced through a square defence only to shoot the ball tamely straight into the keeper’s arms.
Craig Wilding always looked lively and he tested the keeper early in the second half. Hinckley though seemed content with a point and posed little threat up front and they often resorted to giving away free kicks for no real need. It was from one of these free kicks that City took the lead mid-way through the second half. With the defence obviously expecting a convention ball high across the penalty area they allowed Jamie Price to strike an accurate and powerful low free kick inside the near post as this was left unguarded.
Forced to come out of their defensive shell Hinckley exerted more pressure on the city defence and Leon Jackson took advantage of the only City defensive error all game to head the equaliser.
City redoubled their efforts and were rewarded when Gary Walker’s long throw was not cleared and “Macca” scored with a fine header.
This win means that City have now taken 16 league points from the eight games played since new Manager Richard Dryden joined the club at the end of November and it keeps them in touch with the play-off places.
Redditch United v Worcester City - Tuesday 1st January 2008
Injury hit City suffer New Year Blues
City's injury hit squad is beginning to look a little on the thin side and this defeat by near neighbours Redditch United is further evidence of the urgent need to strengthen the squad. Several of the starting eleven were clearly carrying injuries and things got worse with both Kevin Spencer and Rapinder Gill needing to be substituted in the second half following injury.
In midfield, Gary Walker took a place in the starting line-up replacing the suspended George Clegg.
City created first half opportunities when a Jamie Price cross almost ended up in the top corner of the net and later Adam Webster's fierce shot was well saved by the Redditch keeper. These few bright spots apart the bulk of the first half belonged to Redditch who scored twice through a neat finish by Chris Murphy after 16 minutes and a shot from Graham Deakin five minutes before half time and could easily have added more goals but for some poor finishing.
The second half was much move even as City responded to the challenge to get back on even terms but the game could have been all over a dipping shot that rebounded off the City crossbar not been headed over an open game early in the half. This was the only Redditch attack of note in a second half which was largely controlled by City. Although the final ball into the box often went astray more than enough fell to City players but the Redditch keeper was on magnificent form and he saved everything that was thrown at him. It was somewhat rough justice when in a rare Redditch breakaway Robert Taylor scored with just about the last kick of the match.
Struggling Hinckley United who were beaten by City earlier in the season visit the Lane on Saturday (kick off 3:00pm) and City fans will be hoping for a swift return to winning ways.
Worcester City v AFC Telford United - Saturday 29th December 2012
Bad Day at the Office
Nationwide North newcomers, AFC Telford United (not to be confused with now defunct Telford United) made their first ever visit to St George’s Lane and went away happy after taking all three points with an impressive display. There was much to admire in the visitor’s and not just that they looked every bit the part in their nice all red kit.
City were forced to reshape their defence following the recent injury to Shabir Khan and they rarely looked comfortable once Telford had taken the lead through Jimmy Turner just before the interval. Before then though it was City who had created the best chances with Craig Wilding, Adam Webster and George Clegg all having good opportunities.
The goal though seemed to set the visitors alight and soon after half time the game was all over as a spectacle as the score was soon 3-0 in favour of Telford with goals through Matt Lewis and a second from Jimmy Turner.
So the recent good run is ended but City have a chance to get back to winning ways on New Year’s Day with a visit to Redditch United.
Worcester City v Redditch United - Wednesday 26th December 2007
City Revival Continues
The largest crowd (1,366) for a home league fixture for two years were entertained to some exciting action in a close fought encounter at St George’s Lane. All the points went to City after Chris Smith’s 14th minute header proved to be the only goal of the game.
Redditch may feel aggrieved that they failed to gain at least a share of the points but despite much possession they lacked the cutting edge to beat a City defence growing in confidence with every game played under new Manager Richard Dryden.
Whilst City were unable to dominate the Redditch defence they always presented a danger when going forward but were unable to add to the solitary goal.
The goal came from City’s first real attack – a Jamie Price free kick that was put behind for a corner. A real feature of City’s game recently has been there ability to convert set pieces into goal chances. With all City’s recent league goals coming from Mark Danks and Ryan Clarke it was perhaps understandable that these two players were targeted for marking but that left Chris Smith free to power home a header from the corner to the obvious delight of the City’s fans behind the goal at the Dressing Room end.
The game was fiercely contested at times but the referee controlled things his way – often upsetting home and away fans in equal measure. Quite why he did not immediately stop play when Shabir Khan suffered what was obviously a serious arm injury is unknown. This came deep into the second half and led to the sad sight of the City defender being carried off on a stretcher and an ambulance being called.
Worcester City v Boston United - Saturday 15th December 2007
Winter Warmer St George's Lane
The fairytale continues for new boss Richard Dryden as City beat off a strong challenge from visitors Boston United to record a valuable win by two goals to one.
With Chris Smith suspended for this game the captains’ armband was handed to Emeka Nwandike with the vacant berth in the centre of the defence being taken by Assistant Manager Carl “The King” Heeley making an amazing 522nd appearance for City.
The first half was a fairly even affair with both sides showing plenty of attacking ability but the defenders and goalkeepers were in fine form with the result that half time arrived with the game goalless.
In the now time-honoured tradition City fell behind after 56 minutes. Keiran Leabon planting a sweetly hit shot into the bottom right hand corner of the City net giving keeper Cameron Belford no chance to make a save.
Boston were given no chance to consolidate their lead however as City were level within a couple of minutes of the restart. Last weekend Jamie Price’s near post free kick was headed home by Mark Danks and the only variation this time was that it was Ryan Clarke who headed the ball into the net.
Clearly rattled by City the visitors resorted to some rather agricultural tacking that was quickly sorted by Referee Colin Rushton from Staffordshire who had an excellent match.
Although both sides played well in the second half it was City who always looked more likely to win the game and as last week they scored with time running out.
City striker Mark Danks is in vintage form at the moment and his fierce ground shot just two minutes from the end of the game sealed a fine victory for City.
This win moves City up to eighth place in the table just six points away from the play-off zone.
Worcester City v Southport - Saturday 20h October 2007
City stun Southport
A superb second half fight-back by a determined City team saw them come back from the disappointment of conceding a goal from a dubious penalty award. Peter Doran carelessly gave the ball away in a dangerous position but the matter seemed to have been recovered by a well-timed challenge that took the ball away cleanly from the Southport player. The referee and his assistant had other ideas though and to the jubilation of the travelling Southport fans awarded a penalty. City keeper Danny McDonnell just failed to kept out the spot kick.
Earlier City had seemed to be comfortably holding the third placed team although neither side looked capable of breaking down defences that looked very solid.
The goal for Southport came less than a minute after the City Manager, Andy Preece, had brought on Mark Danks and Gary Wright. It was the introduction of these two players that was the spark for a superb City fight back. The equaliser came from a corner by Graham Ward that was not gathered by the Southport keeper and the ball fell kindly to Craig Wilding who made no mistake from close range.
City dominated proceedings from thereon and it was no surprise when City scored the winning goal. Mark Danks’s broke out of defence on an inside-left channel and found Ryan Clarke who unleashed an unstoppable shot from fully 25 yards that fizzed into the top corner of the net.
City easily played out time to earn a welcome three points.
Worcester City v Leigh R.M.I - Satuday 15th September 2007
Webster sets up fine City win
Home supporters were treated to an afternoon of text book football from a City team playing with skill and confidence. Building on last week’s away win at Tamworth, City rarely looked troubled by a Leigh RMI who are struggling to find any sort of form. It was particularly pleasing to see all eleven City footballers playing with skill and confidence and it came as no surprise when Adam Webster powerfully headed home George Clegg’s corner kick on 37 minutes. It was thrill a minute stuff as City attacks flowed down both wings with little being seen of the Leigh forward line.
A spell of sustained City pressure after half time saw Chris Smith double the score before a George Clegg piledriver was handled in the box by a defender and Clegg himself put the penalty away. Leigh grabbed an injury time consolation goal but this could not take anything away from City who can look forward to Monday’s game against Solihull Moors with confidence.
Tamworth v Worcester City - Saturday 8th September 2007
City benefit from generous Lambs defence
In his programme notes for this game at The Lamb, Gary Mills, Tamworth manager, said that “we have given away sloppy goals and we will drop more points if that goes on”. His players though appear to have failed to take this advice as two dreadful defensive errors handed all three points to the City.
City sprang a surprise before kick off by leaving Mark Danks on the bench but it was soon clear that Andy Preece had picked a team that could win this game against a strangely subdue Tamworth team and an even quieter set of home fans. Visiting teams to The Lamb have become accustomed to having to play against the opposition and their fans but not so now. It soon became obvious why as Tamworth lacking any midfield at all looked as ill at ease at the back as they were going forward failing to get a shot on target in the entire first half. City on the other hand looked rock solid at the back bolstered by the return of Chris Smith alongside Rapinder Gill and Patrece Liburd. In Craig Wilding and Adam Webster city also had the sharpest strikers on the pitch.
City took the lead just before half time when a woeful header by Gerry Taggert went straight to Adam Webster who duly scored his third league goal of the season. The same player could have added a third on the stroke of half time but his blistering shot went just wide.
An injury to Rapinder Gill left him unable to continue after the interval and Peter Doran took his place. Tamworth briefly threatened the City goal and Danny McDonnell was called on to save Tamworth’s only shot on target in the game. City’s defence held firm and Andy Preece felt able to take off George Clegg and put on Mark Danks to give City four strikers.
Danks and Wilding were soon breaking down the Tamworth defence at will and the latter should have scored when clean through the defence.
As it was announced that there were to be at least four minutes of added time City put the game beyond doubt, courtesy of another defensive blunder. Tamworth’s debutant keeper was left no chance to clear a poor back poor and the ball was charged down by Craig wilding who then slotted the ball into the empty net to delight the city fans behind the goal leaving a final scoreline of Tamworth 0 City 2.
Worcester City v Harrogate Town - Saturday 1st September 2007
City hit back after lacklustre first half
Andy Preece’s half time team talk worked wonders for City who came out after the interval determined to banish the memories of a dismal show in the first 45 minutes. Harrogate were only one goal to the good at the break and so they paid the penalty for missing a host of chances as ultimately it was City who looked the more likely team to win the game.
There was a subdued atmosphere at the Lane as few away fans had made the long trip down from Yorkshire whilst the home fans were muted to say the least. Harrogate dominated the game early on but it looked as though the teams would go into the break on even terms until Lee Whittington’s badly scuffed shot bounced nicely over a prostrate Danny McDonnell. Either side of this goal Harrogate has twice hit the woodwork and come close on numerous other instances.
After the interval City were transformed and they attacked with gusto and skill. It came as no surprise when City equalised after Mark Danks broke through a static offside trap. Although closed down by Danny Ingram he still got in a fierce shot that Curtis Aspden parried to Craig Wilding who netted from close range to the evident relief of the faithful. After this City were rampant in front of goal and both Adam Webster and Craig Wilding had chances to wrap up all three points. Harrogate continued to look good on the break but no neither side could find the let leaving a final score of 1-1 before 696 fans.
ARCHIVED 3/1/2012; UPDATED 5/9/2013