Thursday, July 27, 2006

CITY'S impressive pre-season preparations continued with a solid draw against League Two opponents Walsall last night, writes Mike Flynn.

And had it not been for some sloppy defending 10 minutes from time, they would have gone one better.

But 1-1 was a fair reflection on a night when both sides showed plenty of endeavour but produced few memorable moments.

Undoubtedly the best, from a City point of view, was Adam Webster's goal, which broke the deadlock on 41 minutes.

Webster met Jai Stanley's in-swinging corner from the right and sent an angled looping header beyond the reach of Walsall 'keeper Kevin Poole.

The goal capped a fine performance from Webster who was just as effective in working the right-hand side as he was in linking up with Craig Wilding down the middle.

Another threat down the right flank was provided by Jay Sztybel and the teenage trialist, who was up against his former club, continues to make a good impression.

City's back-three of Chris Smith, Danny Hodnett and Dennis Pearce were comfortable in open play but they looked vulnerable from set-pieces against a side not lacking in height.

It was from a free-kick that the visitors almost went ahead in the first few minutes as Tony Bedeau curled the ball in from the right and Ian Roper headed against the crossbar.

Sztybel then whipped in a fine cross which Smith headed wide as City eased their way into proceedings.

They continued to look dangerous down the right and nearly went ahead when Nick Colley drove a cross into the box, which was turned behind.

In the second-half, City kept their narrow advantage when Stanley cleared Adam Proudlock's shot off the line and 'keeper Danny McDonnell kept out Ishmel Demontagnac.

City's defence then lost concentration as Graham Deakin's ball over the top found Mark Bradley in acres of space to poke past McDonnell.

Worcester nearly hit back, first through Wilding and then from Colley's beautifully-cushioned effort which Poole did well to keep out.

n City entertain a Bristol Rovers XI tomorrow (3pm).

City: McDonnell, Sztybel, Burley, Smith, Pearce, Hodnett, Stanley (Warmer 68), Colley, Wilding, Webster, Clegg. Attendance: 408.