Tuesday, September 17, 2002

JOHN Barton's silent assassins moved two points clear at the top of the table after a smash and grab raid at Hinckley United last night.

Adam Webster's 30th minute volley secured a 1-0 win and stretched Worcester City's unbeaten run to 10 games.

The club can now expect a bumper crowd of 2,000 plus for their centenary clash with Stafford Rangers on Friday.

If City needed a result at Crawley at the weekend to justify their tag as title contenders, Barton's boys required three points at one of non-league footballs bleaker outposts to cement their tremendous start.

More gritty than pretty, the win summed up the spirit forged by Barton and he praised his players' attitude.

"We are taking it a game at a time but we've got 22 points from 10 games and the players have done fantastically well," he said.

"Somebody likened them to silent assassins, which I don't know about, but their approach is certainly along those lines."

After going in front City withstood a late second-half onslaught with goalkeeper Danny McDonnell again outstanding.

Asa Charlton's late withdrawal with a groin strain, meant another reshuffle with Darren Middleton playing left midfield and Mark Owen up front.

The match itself was a fast and furious affair with the only halts in play due to the numerous balls hoofed over the stands.

Owen, desperate to score his first goal of the season, spurned a great chance, lobbing wide when clear but a minute later Webster rifled home a Leon Jackson cross to put City ahead.

Hinckley hit back, capitalising on sloppy defending at set pieces, with David Sadler twice going close and Andy Penny striking a post.

McDonnell made four superb saves in the second-half as City struggled to keep possession but Webster almost snatched a second with a delicate chip.

City's ability to soak up the Hinckley pressure was another step in the right direction according to assistant manager Mick Tuohy. "The longer the game went on the more confident we were of keeping a clean sheet," he said.

Worcester: McDonnell 9, Davies 6, Carty 8, Holloway 7, Heeley 8, Snape 7, Lyons 7, Jackson 6, Owen 6 (Smith 87), Webster 7, Middleton 7. Subs not used: Jones, Willetts, McDonald, Wyatt.