Heeley looks for the same again (From Worcester News)

Heeley looks for the same again

1:00pm Friday 28th September 2012 in Sport By Steve Carley, @stevecarleyWN

FRESH from getting their FA Cup campaign off and running, Worcester City return to Blue Square Bet North action tomorrow, looking to pick up where they left off.

Before despatching Gornal Athletic 4-0 in the second qualifying round last weekend, City had beaten Droylsden 2-1 at St George’s Lane to put their first defeat of the season behind them.

That kept Carl Heeley’s side among the early front-runners in the division and victory against Harrogate Town at the Lane (3pm) would further enhance that position.

The fixture is arguably City’s toughest yet on home soil, with the four teams sent packing so far all in the bottom half of the table.

But manager Heeley feels his team are playing well and have more than enough about them to overpower the men from Wetherby Road.

With midfielder Matt Birley (knee) the only fitness concern, Worcester have a plethora of options at their disposal as they seek a fifth consecutive home success.

Heeley has favoured a 4-3-3 system in the past two matches and may look to stick with a winning formula but he could opt to restore Greg Mills and Charlie Reece to the wings and go back to 4-4-2.

Heeley said: “The boys have done really well and all want to play. Our bench last week showed how strong the squad is with some really good quality players such as Greg, Charlie and Danny Edwards.

“Then we have players like Lee Ayres and Matt Sargeant, who haven’t had a look in yet, and Shabir Khan and Matt.

“It’s a strong squad and they all want to play but it’s about waiting for an opportunity and when you get the shirt you have got to keep it.”

Harrogate, managed by former Kidderminster Harriers defender Simon Weaver, have lost their last two league matches against high-flying Guiseley and Oxford City.

They drew 2-2 at Northern League Division One outfit West Auckland Town in the FA Cup last Saturday but the replay was called off on Tuesday because of a waterlogged pitch.

Tomorrow’s game could also see right-sided player Dwayne Samuels return to the Lane after he left City in the summer following a two-month stay.

Heeley added: “He moved for work to the Leeds area otherwise I am sure he would still be a Worcester City player.

“I was only too glad to help him out with a club because he was a pleasure to work with. However, in the nicest possible way, I hope he has a nightmare tomorrow.”