Monday, January 12, 2004

HAT-trick hero Mark Owen fired Worcester City into the semi-finals of the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup.

The St George's Lane striker's lethal finishing proved the difference last night as John Barton's side overpowered a spirited Redditch United 5-1.

Further goals from Adam Webster and Leon Kelly wrapped up the victory with Matty Hall on target from the penalty spot for the visitors.

Barton believes the performance was another step towards achieving the consistency they've been striving for.

"We've had two excellent results in three days, and over four games the performances have been better," he said.

"The scoreline flattered us to some degree and to be fair to Redditch you can see why they have got a good chance of being with us next year.

"Our finishing was the difference and the fact we won some good individual duals in all parts of the pitch."

Owen's treble took his tally to five goals in his last three games, and City needed him to be at his sharpest with the runaway leaders of the Dr Martens Western Division starting brightly and carving out a number of chances.

Redditch's Alex Cowley impressed for Rod Brown's side and his pace kept Jon Holloway, making his first start since October, very much on his toes.

But for all the Reds purpose, it was Owen who made the breakthrough, turning expertly and finding the net after Redditch failed to deal with an Adam Wilde corner on 27 minutes.

City made it two on 41 minutes when Barry Woolley nodded on a Wilde corner, polished off by a Webster header from three yards.

Two minutes later it was game over with goal number three, created when Liam McDonald combined neatly with Wilde, whose pin-point cross was swept in by Owen at the back post.

Hall's penalty, after a McDonald trip on Burgess, gave Redditch a glimmer of hope, but City put the game beyond reach with Owen claiming his hat-trick in the 78th minute, set up by Kelly.

McDonald, whose pass had released Kelly, repeated the move three minutes later for Kelly to muscle clear and finish with aplomb.

The final action of note saw an electrifying 60-yard burst by Cowley, superbly curtailed by a well-timed Woolley tackle inside the box.

CITY: McDonnell 7, Holloway 6 (Parker 63,6), Davies 7, Woolley 7, Heeley 6, Snape 7, McDonald 7, Lyons 6, Owen 8, Webster 7 (Kelly 75), Wilde 7 (Middleton 80). Sub (not used): Hayes.

ATTENDANCE: 352.