Saturday, September 14, 2002

IF proof were needed that John Barton has forged a side capable of hurdling the obstacles a championship season can throw up then look no further than Saturday's magnificent result at the Broadfield Stadium.

Shorn of Mark Shail inside the first minute and without the influential David Foy, not to mention recent departure Michael Blackwood, a battling Worcester drew on every last drop of blood and guts to grab a point in a thrilling 0-0 draw, befitting its top of the table clash billing.

Another superb goalkeeping display by Danny McDonnell kept City's goal intact but the gruff tones of John Snape barking out orders and urging his team-mates on, was the abiding memory.

There were also opportunities for Middleton and Asa Charlton to win the game for Worcester which if effort and commitment were the yardstick they surely deserved.

From the first seconds there were incidents but unfortunately for City the worst kind as Shail limped off inside the first minute after injuring his knee as he landed awkwardly, heading out for a corner.

Shail's departure was a massive blow but the spirit forged in this City team ensured his loss was not fatal.

A hasty reshuffle saw Jon Holloway move alongside Carl Heeley, and Allan Davies in for only his second appearance of the season, replacing Holloway at right back.

The personnel change knocked Worcester out of their stride as Crawley dominated the early exchanges.

But despite better possession the Reds were finding it difficult to hit the target with Ellis Hooper blasting over and Warren Bagnell proving equally wild with a similar chance.

After 25 minutes pegged on the back foot City suddenly snapped rallied, finding the belief that they could get something out of the game.

Pushed on by the relentless Snape and the busy Pat Lyons the momentum almost imperceptibly switched from Crawley to City as Middleton fired a left foot drive just wide and Leon Jackson burst into the box to almost loop a Davies ball over Andy Little.

On the half hour mark City had two good chances to go ahead.

Firstly Middleton broke free but rather than shooting he tried to go round Andy Little, allowing the Reds keeper to fling out a hand and cannon the ball off the striker for a goal kick.

Six minutes later Charlton missed an open goal from six yards after Adam Webster's jinxing run into the area resulted in the ball spooning up for the ex-Stourport Swifts man but somehow he screwed his shot over.

Crawley hit back but McDonnell was immense, thwarting Bagnell and Dave Stevens, who showed his frustration with an horrendously late challenge on Davies that left the defender crumpled in a heap and earned the forward a point.

The save to deny Stevens was even more impressive as McDonnell, already on the way down, threw up a hand to claw the ball away in a desperate but brilliant exhibition of shot stopping.

The early part of the second half saw City wrestle the advantage from Crawley though McDonnell and the outstanding Paul Carty needed a double save to again deny Stevens who was becoming increasingly irritated.

Worcester's exertions began to catch up with them as the half wore on and a double substitution bringing on the fresh legs of Neil Le Bihand and Danny Hockton saw the visitors stretched to the limit.

The dangerous Harking went close with a dipping drive in the 82nd minute and McDonnell spread himself well to block an effort by his namesake Nic McDonnell and still City held firm.

When the final whistle went John Barton turned to his board of directors for a quick salute, secure in the knowledge that his team had passed yet another test of their fledgling title credentials which sees them still unbeaten and top of the league.