Monday, March 6, 2006

MARK Danks' reckless red card triggered Worcester City's derby collapse against county rivals Redditch United last night.

City comfortably led 2-0 at St George's Lane, with Danks and Nick Colley finding the target, when Danks swung a punch at left-back Damion Whitcombe before half-time.

Not only did his foolish act cost his side two vital points, but Danks will serve a three-game ban that could seriously dent Worcester's Nationwide North play-off challenge.

Using their numerical advantage to full effect, Redditch fought back to level terms with second-half goals from Simon Hollis and Carl Palmer.

"There's no excuse for Danksy," said City manager Andy Preece. "He knows he's let himself and the team down.

"He doesn't need to say anything. He will be the first to admit he was wrong. There's no complaints from me.

"The result is self-inflicted at the end of the day. We were 2-0 up, comfortable in the game and then have a man sent off.

"It's disappointing because we had the game won and we've thrown it away. But we must get on with it and not get too down."

City converted early chances in a blistering start by both sides. Moments after burly striker Jermaine Clarke shovelled over the crossbar from 12 yards, City landed a penalty when Simon Rea held back Justin Thompson.

Richard Anstiss guessed correctly to palm away Danks' spot-kick, but the ball cannoned against the upright and Danks reacted quickest to slot home.

The Reds responded quickly but were kept out, Danny McDonnell thwarting Palmer and then Clarke was denied by an off-side flag after netting the rebound.

Rubbing salt into the wound, City doubled their lead with a glorious defence into attack move.

Adam Webster's inch-perfect thr-oughball freed Colley and the midfielder outpaced Redditch's defence before beating Anstiss with a clinical low shot.

Anstiss later tipped George Clegg's exquisite chip onto the bar and Webster's finish was ruled out.

City looked home and dried for victory until Danks' mad moment. Whitcombe won a clean tackle, but Danks lashed out, first with his foot and then throwing his arm.

Referee Mark Warren had no option but to give the former Forest Green Rovers man his marching orders.

City were never the same in the second-half and, with their tails up, Redditch reduced the arrears on 53 minutes when statuesque defending allowed Hollis to find room and score.

Palmer grabbed the leveller soon after, beating Rob Warner and Clegg to head home Hollis' set-piece.

In a rousing final half-hour, Thompson hooked over for City and Clarker blasted a 25-yarder at McDonnell.

CITY: McDonnell, Warner, Burley, Smith, Thompson, Lyttle, Clegg, Colley, Danks, Webster, Warmer (Kelly 64). Subs (not used): Preece, Khan, Wedgbury, Hines.

REDS: Anstiss, King (Thomas 67), Whitcombe, Rea (Adams 46), Creighton, Field (Scheppel 57), Hollis, Taylor, Wilding, Clarke, Palmer. Subs (not used): May, McGrath.

ATTENDANCE: 1,060.