JOHN Barton has called on his side to ease the burden on top scorer Leon Kelly ahead of Worcester City's New Year's Day home clash with Stafford Rangers (3pm).

The City manager is delighted with Kelly's 10 goal haul for the season but insists more goals must be delivered from elsewhere.

Kelly's goal at Moor Green on Boxing Day was his second in three games, but that had followed a seven-game drought in which City managed only eight goals.

Mark Owen, Adam Webster and Darren Middleton are joint second top scorers with four goals each but with tough back-to-back matches against Stafford and Dover Athletic in the next three days, Barton is acutely aware of the need for a greater goal threat.

"I'm looking for somebody else to step in alongside Leon and start scoring the goals," said City's boss. "It's been a problem for us and I'm asking the question to the team as a whole, midfielders and strikers alike.

"Who else is going to come in and start chipping in with some goals besides Leon? If you have two goal threats in the team it makes a massive difference. Then at least if one dries up there's a secondary source and we haven't really got that at the moment."

"Leon's got 10 goals, halfway to 20 for the season which is great. Against Moor Green he had just one chance and got one goal.

"I'm pleased with him. If you get him in that situation when he's clear on goal the only hope the opposition has is if he misses because they won't catch him."

Barton has promised to make changes for the Dr Martens Premier Division encounter with Danny McDonnell replacing Chris Taylor in goal while Darren Middleton, on the bench for the last two games, could start.

"I'll be making changes for New Year's Day. Danny will come back and there will be at least one other change," added Barton.

"I wasn't happy with what I saw at Moor Green. Options are restricted but there is still a little that can be done and I'll do it."

Club chairman Dave Boddy is hoping for a good gate for tomorrow's match and reports no pitch problems with no inspections planned.

FORMCAST: City to bag a point 1-1.