Saturday, December 17, 2005

A CHRISTMAS cracker from George Clegg served to remind Andy Preece what he's been missing as Worcester City brushed Hayes aside in a miserable FA Trophy fixture.

Clegg's strike on 77 minutes was a classy finish worthy of winning any match, but it was completely out of keeping from a first round tie lacking in attacking quality.

There was far too much negativity and the travelling 10-men Missioners must shoulder the brunt of criticism.

Despite Willy Wordsworth's pre-match assertion that Hayes held a 'few tricks up their sleeve', there was nothing magical from his side whatsoever.

It was a complete bluff as Hayes offered no adventure, even before Kevin McKenna was sent off for two bookable offences, or willingness to win this encounter at the first time of asking.

Wordsworth even confessed afterwards to City's assistant Andy Morrison that the Nationwide South side came to St George's Lane for a draw.

Such approach deserves few rewards, although Worcester too made life difficult for themselves.

For the second consecutive home game, Preece's men found it nigh on impossible penetrating over-cautious visitors.

Guile was in short supply as City pressed and pressed, while supporters grew restless for more enterprise.

There were constant shouts to add third striker Troy Wood into the blender and Preece had the option to abandon his three-man defence and throw on another attacking player.

It did not matter in the end as Clegg, the outstanding performer of the afternoon, came up trumps with a luscious finish.

The elusive goal came straight from the Gigg Lane training ground, striker Preece cleverly teeing up his former Bury colleague for a clinical left-foot shot.

That was Clegg's fourth goal in just five starts this season, proving that the ex-Manchester United ace is a vital source of goals from midfield.

"Hayes came with a game plan to stifle us and get the draw," said Clegg. "We had chances, but it seemed to be one of those days where it wasn't going to go in the net.

"Luckily, we got the break. The gaffer put me through and I've finished it. It was nice to get on the scoresheet and get the win."

Clegg added: "I don't know why teams are playing so negatively. They are defending like their lives depend on it. Only when we scored did Hayes open up and play a bit.

"I think they did themselves an injustice, coming here for a draw."

The opening half-hour meandered along with very little entertainment to excite another below-par crowd.

In separate moves, defender Justin Thompson shanked an effort wide 10 yards from goal and Preece failed to convert Les Hines' free-kick inside the penalty area.

But the tie stirred into life following McKenna's dismissal. The midfielder was first cautioned for launching his studs into Thompson's midriff, then shown the red card after clattering into Clegg.

Worcester piled forward with their advantage, Thompson foiled again when Kevin Davies collected his close-range effort.

On 57 minutes, the home side came within a whisker. Davies saved low to beat away Preece's stinging 25-yard drive, then Chris Smith's header struck the underside of the crossbar.

Davies' diverted throw was later punted straight at goal by Rob Warner, but the Missioners 'keeper raced back in time to save and Leon Kelly sent the rebound wide.

Frustrations grew from the terraces as Worcester became more and more desperate. The breakthrough eventually arrived, Preece chesting Colley's right-wing delivery and threading Clegg, whose composed finish from inside the box found the far corner.

Hayes rallied for a leveller and won two late free-kicks to salvage a draw, but efforts from Kevin Warner and Liam Feeway did not trouble Danny McDonnell.

CITY: McDonnell, Warner, Hines, Smith, Thompson, Hodnett, Warmer (Hyde 54), Wedgbury (Colley 70), Kelly, Clegg, Preece. Subs not used: Wood, McDonald, Walker.

ATTENDANCE: 677.