Tuesday, November 22, 2005

GEORGE Clegg bagged a brace last night as Worcester City cruised to a 3-1 Worcestershire FA Senior Cup victory at Stourport Swifts.

Classy Clegg twice lobbed Swifts goalkeeper Aaron O'Malley either side of Rory May's headed equaliser, while youngster Troy Wood settled the second round tie with a debut strike.

Wood was one of five academy players making their Worcester first team bow, along with Nat Bulmer, Ben Walker, Gary Walker and Dale Watkins.

It proved to be an excellent run-out for City. The only setback came mid-way through the first-half when striker Jimmi-Lee Jones hobbled off with a leg injury.

Swifts almost snatched the lead on eight minutes.

Winger Shaun Findlay found room for a left-wing cross which unmarked Adam Hughes powered towards the bottom corner, but Lewis Skyers tipped the effort wide.

Then it was City's turn, Liam McDonald orchestrating a move from left to right that ended at the feet of Bulmer, who sent his 20-yard effort over the bar.

Following Jones' injury, City found the target on 24 minutes. Under pressure from livewire Wood, O'Malley's fluffed clearance fell to Clegg 35 yards out. The former Bury midfielder had the option to feed Andy Preece through, but with O'Malley well off his line, Clegg aimed for goal and succeeded with an exquisite lob.

Buoyed by Clegg's ingenuity, City's young midfielders stamped their authority, bossed possession and chances arrived.

Sam Wedgbury lashed over a 30-yard drive and Gary Walker arrived in the box to meet Preece' s low centre, only to fire off target. Wood also missed an opportunity after latching onto James Smith's clever lay-off.

At the other end, May's left-foot curler whizzed past the upright.

Swifts showed flashes of inspiration after the interval and levelled when May rose at the back post to head home Findlay's corner.

O'Malley beat out Smith's angled shot as City stormed back. But the visitors were in front again when Clegg, put through by McDonald, found the net with another precise lob.

Worcester wrapped up proceedings on 73 minutes as Wood arrived bang on queue to finish Gary Walker's pin-point right-wing cross.

Swifts: O'Malley, Coley, Robinson, Webb, Jenkins, Hughes A (Layden 74), Hughes C, Findlay, May (Sherwood 74), Burgess, Sayer (Hawker 74). Subs not used: Sherwood, Dodds, Layden, Poskewel, Hawker.

City: Skyers, Bulmer, McDonald (Watkins 74), Hodnett, Walker B, Walker G, Clegg, Wedgbury, Jones (Smith 20), Wood, Preece. Subs not used: Andrews, Butler, Hacking.

Attendance: 85.