Thursday, January 1, 2004

NEW Year, same old City was the cry from disgruntled supporters after Worcester's disappointing 1-0 defeat to Stafford Rangers.

While Stafford's love affair with St George's Lane continues to flourish after a fourth successive win at the ground, home supporters are rapidly falling out of love with the football served up by John Barton's team.

Rob Heath's late winner rocked a City side desperately seeking to begin the New Year with some semblance of consistency to their game.

None was forthcoming though as an 85th minute goal, in front of the biggest crowd of the season, brought City's mini-revival of three games undefeated to an abrupt end.

"We showed a lot of grit and determination and there was nothing between the sides but neither of us deserved to win it," said Carl Heeley. "I thought it was a 0-0 all over but unfortunately it's dropped to them and they've got the killer goal.

"We played much better in the second half and were on the front foot. It was a very tight game and we were unfortunate with Barry's header and Allan's strike that on another day go in."

While City's captain made a case for City meriting a point the reality was that Danny McDonnell was by the far the busier of the two keepers in this Dr Martens Premier Division clash.

And McDonnell had his hands full because Rangers had more energy and purpose to their game, won the individual battles and looked hungrier.

In contrast the home players looked in dire need of some fizz and sparkle in a flat first half display that bordered on the turgid.

Stafford, with the lively Daniel Davison and wily Don Goodman, had the more potent attacking force though City rallied in the second half.

Worcester had chances of a sort, Darren Middleton twice seeing shots blocked, Allan Davies firing a deflected effort wide and Barry Woolley whistling a header past the upright but Stafford had better ones.

McDonnell, back in goal after a one match ban, was soon in the thick of action, denying Heath after just 50 seconds.

A sensational double block combined with a Heeley clearance kept Rangers at bay at the start of the second half as Phil Robinson's side pushed for a breakthrough.

City, shorn of a creative edge, utilised the bulldozer figure of Leon Kelly whose pace and power unsettled Rangers at times but with no real end product.

Assistant manager Mick Tuohy admitted the first 45 minutes was poor but felt City had done enough to earn a point.

"I heard a few comments at the end saying it was absolute rubbish but I would disagree with that," he said.

"I thought it was a reasonable performance, not the highest quality by any stretch from either side, but we were bitterly disappointed we didn't get a point we deserved."

Worcester: McDonnell 8, Carty 7, Davies 6, Woolley 6, Heeley 7, Middleton 4 (Lyons 71), Snape 6, Wilde 5, Owen 5, Kelly 7, Webster 6. Subs (not used): Taylor, McDonald, Parker, Holloway.

Attendance: 1,521.