Monday, August 25, 2003

MARK Owen reclaimed his old stamping ground last night as City lit up St George's Lane last night with a stellar performance.

The 25-year-old striker scored the second of Worcester's three goals as the threat of rivals Moor Green was snuffed out in a deadly nine-minute spell just after the break.

It was Owen's first league goal since last November and another milestone in his return from wretched injury.

The goal itself was a clinical finish from the corner of the penalty box on 59 minutes which doubled City's lead, the opener arriving on 52 minutes from Owen's striker partner Leon Kelly who prodded home a Barry Woolley header from two yards.

Woolley also had a hand in third goal on 61 minutes, heading another Wilde cross back for the excellent Adam Webster to hook in acrobatically from two yards.

City's third win on the trot was notable for the manner in which it was achieved with a brand of attacking football that utilised Owen's and Leon Kelly's pace.

With Darren Middleton and Wilde also bursting forward City possessed the power to hurt the Moors at will and Wilde should have scored as early as the third minute when he elected to square to Kelly instead of shooting, allowing Richard Robinson to nick the ball from the striker's feet.

The powerful Kelly then engineered a great chance for Middleton but with the ball on a plate, the midfielder miscued horribly.

Owen thought he had found the net after Middleton's astute pass picked him out but dinked a chip over the advancing Adam Rachel and just wide of the post.

Moor Green, who seldom looked a threat, nearly stole a shock breakaway goal on the brink of half time when City were caught napping by Jai Stanley whose precision pass picked out Jae Martin behind Allan Davies. Danny McDonnell however saved well, clutching the ball at the second attempt.

While in the previous two matches City have surrendered the initiative after the break there was little danger this time and straight away Kelly -- cleverly released by Owen -- rounded Rachel only to see his shot cleared off the line. Middleton followed up but his rebound flew off the post from an acute angle.

One of the more entertaining features of the night was Moors defender Lee Collins various attempts to cope with the battering ram approach of Kelly. It was a mismatch and led to Collins eventually earning himself a booking for a crude challenge on the forward.

City's pressure finally paid off with Kelly's third goal in fourth games. Woolley, who had won everything in the air at the back proved equally adept at the other end and Kelly will not have an easier finish this season.

McDonnell still needed to be alert especially after a sloppy backheader from Davies in the 56th minute let in Andy Turner but City's keeper was quickly off his line to clear the danger.

Owen and Webster then struck in rapid succession to wrap up the points. Webster's goal was reward for another fine display on the right hand side of midfield while Owen's was testimony to the hard work he has put in over the summer to recapture his former glories.

Worcester: McDonnell 8, Davies 7, Carty 7, Holloway 7, Woolley 8, Snape 8, Middleton 8 (Foy 81), Webster 8, H Owen 9, Kelly 8 (Hadley 86), Wilde 7. Subs not used: Hayes, Counsell, Heeley.

Attendance: 1,258.