County young guns snatch late leveller (From Worcester News)

County young guns snatch late leveller

3:57pm Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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WORCESTERSHIRE dented group leaders Leicestershire and Rutland’s 100 per cent record with a committed performance which earned then a fully-deserved 2-2 draw.

The visitors opened far more impressively than their hosts and it took a great save from Adam Seymour to turn away Gavin Flower’s powerful header following a free-kick on the left.

Dan Holloway then dragged a shot just wide having been put through by Louis Loader.

It was no less than Worcestershire’s dominant start deserved when they took the lead in the 23rd minute as Jordan Jones fired low across keeper Seymour into the far corner of the net.

With the county continuing to enjoy the best of the game, disaster struck in the 38th minute when a terrible misunderstanding between skipper Joe Hull and goalkeeper Haydn Whitcombe, who left an innocuous ball to each other, saw Jamie Allen brought down just inside the penalty area.

Allen picked himself up to coolly net the resultant penalty kick.

Both sides had opportunities to take the lead as the half-time interval approached, with Whitcombe making two finger-tip saves in quick succession from Danny Jenno and Phillip O’Mara, while at the other end Holloway shot wide when well placed.

Worcestershire made the early running at the start of the second-half, Jenno making a vital block after Holloway had rounded the keeper and Jones then hit a weak shot wide.

Leicestershire and Rutland came back strongly with Whitcombe twice called into action to deny Jenno, first smothering a fierce shot at the foot of the post and then holding a header following a right-wing corner kick.

In the 65th minute, Leicestershire and Rutland took the lead when they were awarded their second penalty kick of the game and again Allen made no mistake.

With Worcestershire searching for an equaliser, the game became stretched with both Loader and Chris Seekings having shots comfortably held by home custodian Seymour.

His opposite number Whitcombe turned Dominic Duffy’s swerving long-range shot over the crossbar as the hosts counter-attacked.

Worcestershire went for broke and pushed skipper Hull up front. They were rewarded five minutes from time when a swift break from defence to attack saw Holloway’s shot blocked with the ball falling to Hull, who gleefully slid the ball into the net for a deserved equaliser.

Loader almost scored a dramatic late winner for the visitors, but his free-kick from just outside the area drifted inches wide with the keeper beaten.

Following the game, Jamie Adams was presented with his county cap having made 10 competitive appearances for the under 18s.

Worcestershire’s next game is a local derby against Herefordshire FA on Sunday, March 28, at Pershore Town (2pm).

Worcestershire: Haydn Whitcombe, Gavin Flower, Ryan Clarke, Jordan Jones, Joe Hull, Sam O’Neill, Jamie Adams, Ben Smith (George Aston 80), Dan Holloway, Louis Loader, Chris Seekings.