Saturday, April 7, 2001

THREE successive defeats have threatened to undo all the good work created by Worcester City's 11-match unbeaten run.

Saturday's 2-1 home defeat against Welling United leaves them still fourth in the Dr Martens League Premier Division, but they're now looking anxiously over their shoulders at the chasing pack.

Following hot on the heels of their Worcestershire Senior Cup exit against Evesham United, it's imperative they break out of their slump quickly.

Tomorrow's Dr Martens Cup semi-final clash with Newport County now takes on critical importance as City try to avoid their season petering out into nothing.

The visitors took a two-goal interval lead which proved too much to make up, and manager John Barton said afterwards: "We have started the last three games poorly and we have ended up chasing the game. We were 2-0 down before we even got going.

"We had a damn sight more chances than them but we didn't show enough conviction in accepting them."

But Barton could take heart from the performance of his two youngest players, both only 19 years old.

Winger Jamie Hyde was a big threat when he came on as substitute at half-time and was rewarded with City's late consolation goal.

While Wesley Joyce, in a rare outing at wing-back, showed a tremendous amount of grit and determination.

Barton said: "I had a chat with Jamie over the last couple of days and he showed a response to that. He went on, was positive, got some good crosses in and scored a good goal.

"Wesley hasn't had a lot of football recently but it was a good, enthusiastic performance."

Joyce himself said: "I thought we deserved at least a draw. We battled our hearts out in the second-half -- it was just down to finishing really.

"I will always enjoy it when I play. I am trying to get myself a starting position every week in the side.

Joyce prospered despite having to spend 45 minutes ploughing through a sea of mud -- courtesy of heavy rain before and during the match that left the pitch semi-waterlogged, especially on the side of the main stand.

Both sides and referee Steve Tanner deserve credit in agreeing to play despite the conditions, to help avoid any further fixture congestion.

It could have been so much different for City if midfielder Marc Burrow had shown a cooler head when he was sent clear by Mark Owen after only three minutes, but his shot was well turned away by visiting 'keeper Glen Knight.

Welling were quicker to adapt to the conditions, however, and showed the clinical finishing City were lacking by converting their only two clear chances, although the defending could be called into question on both occasions.

On 22 minutes City failed to clear a right-wing cross, the ball was played back into the centre and the defence waited in vain for an offside flag as Steve Restarick volleyed home from close range.

Eight minutes later Knight saved well again from an Ian Cottrill drive and his clearance found Charley Side, who turned well on the edge of the area, spotted 'keeper Danny McDonnell off his line and floated a superb shot over his head.

After that it was a case of mounting City pressure but their shooting boots had clearly been left at home, Owen and strike partner Steve Lutz in particular being guilty of missing chances they should have taken.

Pressure

Hyde finally showed them how to finish two minutes from time with a low shot through a crowd of players after Welling failed to clear Paul Carty's right-wing cross -- his second goal for the club.

But despite further pressure it was too little, too late as Welling gained revenge for their 1-0 home defeat against City back in February.

* Worcester's league game at Newport County this weekend has been brought forward to Good Friday, kick-off 7.45pm.

The switch has been made at Newport's request to avoid a clash with Newport Rugby Club's Principality Cup semi-final with Ebbw Vale at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday.