Lane boss is full of praise for his squad (From Worcester News)

Lane boss is full of praise for his squad

7:30pm Sunday 21st March 2010

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WORCESTER City manager Carl Heeley couldn’t praise his players highly enough after their 0-0 draw against St Albans.

City controlled the game throughout but were unable to find a way past visiting keeper Paul Bastock.

However, a delighted Heeley said: “It’s another point, we can’t detract from that, and it’s another clean sheet.

“We did dominate the game and I don’t recall them having a shot on target but their keeper was outstanding and rightly man-of-the-match. That’s the reason we didn’t win the game.

“We did have numerous opportunities but looking at the bigger picture I thought the performance, the work-rate and how we tried to pass the ball on quite a poor surface was excellent.

“I’m not too despondent about not winning the game because I couldn’t have ask-ed for any more from the boys. I thought they competed, played some good football at times and we just missed a goal.

“The one thing I absolutely guarantee is anybody who puts a shirt on will never give up or shirk a challenge be-cause I won’t accept that. I thought they were magnificent.”

Jason Pike made his debut after joining from Bridgnorth Town and Heeley felt the midfielder adapted well to his new surroundings.

The manager was also pleased to see Jamie Price continue his good form at left-back in the absence of Shabir Khan.

Heeley said: “I didn’t want to throw Jason straight in but the situation dictated it. I wasn’t afraid to put him in and all I asked was for him to show the basic qualities of honesty, working hard, commitment and desire.

“What we’ve got to remember with Jason is that he’s stepped up from a struggling side who ply their trade three divisions below us. He looked competent and a very good player. He is one for the future but we are going to work with him and try and develop him but I thought he was outstanding.”

He added: “Jamie has step-ped back up two divisions and his performances since he’s come back have been nothing short of outstanding.”

Referee Ian Rathbone was at the centre of two controversial decisions that saw Heeley question the official at half-time.

Rathbone booked Marc Mc-Gregor for his part in an altercation with Peter Smith and St Albans’ Adam Everitt for a high challenge on keeper Jake Meredith.

“The linesman told him there was a coming together between Marc and their player but there were no blows struck,” Heeley said.

“I asked him why Marc got booked and he said that the player was on the floor holding his head so something must have happened but he didn’t see anything.

“With the second one I questioned how he only saw it as a yellow card when Jake had six stud marks in his face.

“I might not necessarily agree with them but I have to respect his decisions.”

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