10:49pm Monday 18th January 2010
By Steve Carley
CASH-STRAPPED Worcester City’s bid to reach the last 16 of the FA Trophy and bag £6,000 in prize money will have to wait another week after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Carshalton Athletic at St George’s Lane.
Marco Adaggio looked to have set them on their way to victory, and a potential date with Kidderminster Harriers in the next round, with his 52nd-minute strike but Barry Stephens ensured a deserved replay next Tuesday night with the equaliser 20 minutes from time.
Carshalton were more than a match for Richard Dryden’s side and might have won the tie during a nervy finale but for a couple of crucial saves from Jake Meredith.
Disappointingly, the twice-postponed match against the Ryman Premier Division outfit was only watched by a meagre 468 fans, an attendance that won’t do much to boost confidence among those looking to entice support to the Lane.
In an end-to-end but low on quality first-half, City struggled to find any cutting edge to their game, frequently losing the ball in prominent positions much to the annoyance of the home support.
The visitors belied their lower-league status and could have been ahead with just five minutes on the clock as a corner from the right was met by David Woozley and Craig Wilding had to head the ball off the line.
In the absence of captain Tom Kemp, missing with a hamstring injury, Wayne Daniel bossed the defence along with stand-in skipper Mark Clyde but some of those around them, particularly Kevin Spencer, were guilty of sloppy passing.
Stephens provided further cause for concern before the break as he lofted an attempted right-wing cross on to the top of Meredith’s crossbar.
Alfie Carter’s drilled effort from 25 yards forced keeper Nick Hamann into action and, seconds later, Graham Ward sent a dipping volley into the arms of Hamann.
Meredith was also called into action, comfortably gathering a strike from Rashid Kamara.
City’s goal arrived seven minutes into the second-half. Clyde’s left-wing cross was sliced against the bar by Woozley but the Carshalton defender hesitated and the ball fell for Adaggio who lashed it beyond Hamann before wheeling away for a back-flip celebration.
The hosts looked to be in control but were pegged back on 70 minutes as Stephens met a right-wing cross, drilled it towards goal and Meredith could only parry the ball over the line.
Carshalton grew in confidence and the Worcester keeper had to save acrobatically from both Kenny Beaney’s free-kick and Justin Roberts’ looping header late on as Francis Vines’ side threatened victory.
Opposite number Hamann also produced a superb reflex save to deny sub Matt Dinsmore's header from point-blank range with nine minutes left.
City: Meredith 8, Ward 6, Spencer 5, Wilding 7, Daniel 8, Clyde 7, Davies (Fitzpatrick 83) 7, Birley 6, McGregor (Elvins 64) 6, Adaggio 8*, Carter (Dinsmore 75) 6. Subs not used: Walker, Bridges.
Attendance: 468.
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