Saturday, October 18, 2003

ON the weekend that illusionist David Blaine emerged from 44 days cocooned in a box, City's defence succeeded in twice disappearing in an afternoon.

And like the American's stunt at Tower Bridge the feat left Worcester feeling sick in the stomach after seeing a two goal lead slip and with it vital maximum points.

Prior to kick off John Barton would have bitten your hand off for the chance to be two up inside 35 minutes but in the end was left gnawing his teeth in frustration as a costly goal at the interval swung the momentum back to Weymouth.

Despite only drawing there was good news elsewhere for City who closed the gap on leaders Nuneaton following their home defeat to Tiverton.

But while that result kept City within four tantalising points of the top the suspicion remains it's a gulf they will struggle to bridge.

Key to achieving that will be unlocking the potential of Adam Wilde, once again a subdued figure, and injecting some pace in central midfield.

John Snape remains adept at close quarter combat but both he and David Foy struggle to eat up the yards and press when the opposition are in possession.

Bright spots included the Adam Webster and Leon Kelly partnership which netted both a goal and could have yielded more.

As it were their efforts were undone by two Weymouth goals that slotted into the 'should have done better' file.

In the first instant Carl Heeley and Allan Davies seemed slow to react to Danny McDonnell's parried save allowing Paul Buckle to sweep home Ian Hutchinson's pass while the second, Luke Nightingale's diving header, prompted an inquisition on who was marking who.

Defensive lapses aside Saturday was a hugely entertaining affair and the 1,380 crowd had plenty to shout about, and at, not least the marauding Kelly and the skulking figure of Terras' player/manager Steve Claridge.

While Kelly's willingness to run at defences, notably with a breathtaking second half burst crudely halted on the edge of the area, attracted plaudits former Premier Divison ace Claridge was the focus of derision from home fans.

The former Birmingham and Leicester favourite indeed cut an intriguing sight, raging at officials, his own team-mates and the looming attentions of Barry Woolley.

His mood soured even further when City raced into a two goal lead sparked by another 37-year-old Paul Carty.

The left back's quickly taken 60 yard free kick to pick out Webster would have had the pundits drooling had his name been David Beckham.

Webster in turn was clinical in his execution of the goal, nutmegging Simon Brown in the process, before placing his shot past Jason Matthews.

Carty also created City's second with his lunging tackle setting up Kelly to fire home expertly from 12 yards to chalk up his eighth goal of the season.

Claridge flitted in and out of the game with flashes of his ability but his frequent berating of his players finally paid off just before half time.

From a position of strength City literally buckled allowing Weymouth captain Buckle to capitalise on indecision in the home defence. It proved the defining moment of the match and Nightingale equalised shortly after the restart.

City to their credit regrouped and led by Kelly came close to regaining the lead on several occasions.

Heeley forced a flying save from Matthews who made an even better block late on to thwart Webster late on.

A moment of petulance four minutes from time resulted in the dismissal of Jamie Impey for a second yellow card but fortunately for the defender his team-mates held out though City substitute Darren Middleton came within inches of snatching a winner in stoppage time.

At the final whistle though, Barton, like Blaine at present, has plenty to chew over after seeing another win get away.