Saturday, October 25, 2003

THERE may have been no earthquakes or smouldering volcanoes erupting in Chippenham on Saturday but Paul Carty's stoppage time winner was seismic nonetheless.

It was simply a massive victory for Worcester, bogged down of late by an inability to win and consequently sliding into mid-table nothingness - for most fans the worst kind of football hell.

More importantly than the three points earned by Darren Middleton's 79th minute equaliser and Carty's winner, will be the confidence injected into the side as a result of the comeback.

Early on however there was little evidence of that commodity.

The twin evils of playing against a pronounced slope at Hardenhuish Park and a stiff breeze were compounded by a lacklustre midfield display that yielded little for Leon Kelly and Adam Webster to get their teeth into.

Not surprisingly when that little lot was chucked into the melting pot it added up to a pretty dire first half display.

"Totally unacceptable" was John Barton's description.

While Darren Middleton had a shot cleared off the line following a thrusting run by Kelly most of the action was at the other end.

On a cold, blustery day Danny McDonnell, ably supported by some determined defending, was leaping about like a cat on a hot tin roof to keep Chippenham at bay.

In one remarkable piece of play McDonnell stood tall to psyche out Martin Paul, enticing the forward to shoot before dropping to block his goalbound shot.

A myriad of other chances peppered City's goal requiring some last-ditch blocks, tackles and clearances from Carl Heeley and Barry Woolley in particular.

At the break Barton reacted swiftly to the proceedings unfolding in front of him by replacing Pat Lyons on the right with trialist Craig Woodley.

He immediately added a dimension to City's play, making things happen with little passes and darting runs.

It still wasn't vintage stuff but on a difficult pitch, Total Football was never an option.

However both Woodley and Craig Dean (thrown on to enable Carty to push into midfield) did enough to jolt City into more meaningful action. Woodley forced a great save from Pat Mountain but when Charlie Griffin struck against the run of play it sounded alarm bells for Barton's team.

It was effectively sink or swim time, not just in the context of the match but possibly for the entire season as well.

One win in nine takes some explaining away, but City grabbed the baton and rose to the challenge superbly.

Middleton began the comeback rifling in a deflected shot through a sea of legs after a bout of pressure 11 minutes from time.

Then in the 85th minute Mark Owen foraging out wide created an opening for Woodley who nimbly stepped inside Ellis Wilmott, only to be unceremoniously scythed down for a penalty.

The Great Escape script was going to plan. Unfortunately Middleton, back in for the injured John Snape, fluffed his lines. Stepping forward he blazed the spot kick wide and over -- think Chris Waddle 1990 and some. Afterwards he admitted he had been too wound up.

But the miss served only to spur Middleton and his team-mates on.

Adam Wilde snapped out of his torpor to produce a dazzling run and cross that created panic in the Bluebirds' defence.

Sensing blood City ploughed on and earned their moment of glory three minutes into added time.

Dean's cross from deep picked out the giant figure of Woolley. His header downwards was pounced on by Kelly from eight yards but his shot though beating Mountain struck the right-hand post and rebounded across the goalline for the lurking figure of Carty to stab home.

The veteran celebrated with arms outstretched in aeroplane fashion and Barton will be hoping the goal could at last signal lift off for City's stuttering season.