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Games taking their toll says boss
WORCESTER City manager Richard Dryden says the demands on his players are beginning to take their toll.
The St George's Lane side have played four games in nine days, one of which went to extra-time, and have seen the squad stretched to breaking point.
Chris Smith, Jamie Price, Troy Wood, George Clegg, Graham Ward and Rapinder Gill were all missing for the Alfreton match yesterday, forcing Dryden to name assistant boss Carl Heeley at centre-half.
City also only had four players on the bench in teenagers David Burtoft, Devon Smith, Craig Brown and Sam Tyack.
Jon Munday headed the hosts in front before Jordan Hall's 30-yard effort beat Cameron Belford 15 mintues from time.
"I think it was a fair result," Dryden said. "We looked tired in the second-half. We looked tired at the end on Saturday and the lads were on their last legs again but again they've given their all.
"You've got Emeka Nwadike limping and Jon Munday limping. Carl Heeley shouldn't really be on the pitch but he's played 90 minutes and I don't think Gary Walker stopped for breath once."
He added: "I've got no worries about putting Sam Tyack or Craig Brown on whatsoever. We played Carl in front of Craig basically because we've got so many young lads. It's unfair to ask Carl to play because at his age he should be on the bench helping me out but sometimes needs must and he's gone and played 90 minutes."
Dryden also refused to blame Belford for Alfreton's equaliser, the one blip in an otherwise faultless display.
"I think it's bounced just in front of him in the mud," the City manager said. "I don't know if he's mis-judged it or not but it would be harsh to criticise the keeper.
"Alfreton get the ball forward quickly and they have got some decent forwards and he made a couple of good stops.
"It just shows how good he is and we're lucky to have him."
Mark Danks, as well as Shabir Khan, started his first game since returning from injury and Dryden was delighted with the striker's effort.
He said: "I know if I take him off he's going to get the hump but you could see he had given his all and he couldn't give any more."
11:12am Tuesday 25th March 2008
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