Saturday, April 30,2005

AN end-of-season hammering was the last result anybody expected -- but it mattered little to Worcester City's joyful following.

Amid second-half carnage when Gainsborough ripped City to smithereens with three goals in 12 minutes, partying fans chanted non-stop in support of Andy Preece and his downtrodden men.

Never mind that Worcester had suffered their heaviest loss of the season, this was appreciation at what went before.

Nearly three months ago, the St George's Lane club sank to fifth bottom of Nationwide North and were in readiness for a relegation battle.

Now, after a tremendous play-off push, City sit proudly above local rivals Redditch United in seventh place. Who would have predicted that in early February?

Defeat is still painful to stomach at any stage of a long campaign and Preece, along with assistant Andy Morrison, clearly showed their hurt as Trinity tormented the Worcester back-line.

This was a bad day at the office alright, although the scoreline seemed unlikely following a timid, low-key first-half which carried all the essence of a training ground knock-about.

But Trinity, inspired by midfield duo Dan Wood and Jamie Sherlock, adopted a more positive frame of mind after the break as City deteriorated under a reshuffled look.

A few players changed roles as injuries to Rob Warner, Tom Warmer and Adam Webster forced Preece's hand.

George Clegg started up front alongside Leon Kelly, while Paul Carty reverted to right wing-back with John Snape sweeping.

A positive note for Preece to grasp was the second-half introduction of striker Christian Moore, whose season looked over when he suffered anterior ligament damage last September. A moribund first-half saw little excitement and precious little penalty box activity.

Liam McDonald blazed over following Clegg's deep cross on 23 minutes and Les Hines, Barry Woolley and McDonald all failed to stab home a good counter-attacking move.

At the other end, Trinity centre-half Neil Allison headed over from eight yards and Wood's rasping shot needed a timely block from Snape.

Gainsborough upped the tempo and took the lead on 64 minutes when Wood drove at the City defence before unleashing a cross-cum-shot, which Lee Ellington bundled home from a yard out.

Poor marking led to the second six minutes later. Wood's high, hanging cross was met with great vision by John Rowan to Gareth Grant who nodded low past Danny McDonnell from close range.

Ellington grabbed his second on 75 minutes when he reacted quickest to a bouncing ball and bravely beat McDonnell with a header.

Rob O'Brien almost made it four when his low side-foot shot came back off the post.

City: McDonnell 6, Carty 5, Hines 6, Snape 6 (Smith 77), Woolley 5, Heeley 5 (Parker 71), Colley 6, Stanley 6, *Kelly 7, McDonald 6 (Moore 59, 6), Clegg 5. Subs not used: Khan, Skyers.

Attendance: 338.