Saturday, September 2, 2000

CRISIS? What crisis? Anyone who thought Worcester City had serious problems following their Bank Holiday disaster was confounded by an impressive 4-2 win at Ilkeston Town on Saturday.

City, who were a shambles at Merthyr, looked much more organised and determined and could easily have won by more against a poor Ilkeston side.

The most encouraging aspect was the return to form of striker Mark Owen, who scored his first two goals of the season and set up another for new strike partner Carl Tranter, who made an encouraging debut.

Owen said afterwards: "We have been really disappointed with the last two results as a team. We played much better today and wanted it more after those two performances.

"I thought I did OK in the first two games but in the last two I have been disappointed for myself. Today I hit the back of the net twice which is pleasing."

He was also impressed with Tranter. "We have linked up well considering it is our first game together, He got a goal and could have had two or three."

Manager John Barton said: "There wasn't a lot to be said after the last two games but the players knew it was up to them to provide the correct response.

"We have played two teams - Merthyr and Ilkeston - that I couldn't see scoring in open play against us. As long as we defended well from set-pieces, which we didn't against Merthyr, you are always in with a chance."

And he praised Tranter's contribution.

"I thought our front play in the last two games was very poor so it is worth taking a chance. As a first game I was pleased with what he did.

"Mark did well and his game was more complete than it was at the first start of the season."

Ilkeston's one-dimensional approach was easily dealt with by solid defending. Teenager Paul Wyatt, deputising for the suspended Danny McDonnell, was beaten by two harshly-awarded penalties but otherwise, apart from an excellent early save to turn a Glenn Kirkwood shot round the post, he had little to do.

City hit the front on 22 minutes when Nathan Jukes' left-wing cross was headed back by Mike Wyatt and Steve Lutz, who dropped back into midfield, lobbed over keeper Andy Love.

Within a minute, Tranter beat the offside trap with a great pass to release Owen, who rounded Love and finished with ease.

Ilkeston were given a lifeline five minutes before the break when Martin Weir was penalised for climbing on Kirkwood and Dave Poppleton slotted home the penalty via the post.

All City's good work looked to be wasted on 56 minutes when Mark Tucker challenged home substitute Andy Kiwomya, Poppleton netting his second penalty, but City's heads didn't go down and four minutes later Wyatt's cross found Owen, who turned well in a tight space to drive in a low shot.

Within three minutes Tranter released Owen on the left and timed his run to perfection to meet the cross and shoot home low and was then denied by the post in the closing minutes.