Saturday, August 14, 2004

WORCESTER City's new-look side were forced to settle for a point from their first game in the newly formed Conference North.

Visiting Hinckley United proved a tough nut to crack on a boiling hot day in a 1-1 draw at St. George's Lane on Saturday.

Both teams had chances but a draw was probably a fair result as neither of them really did enough to win the game.

City gave debuts to new signings Rob Warner, Les Hines, Colin Hoyle and Nick Colley with their fifth summer signing Christian Moore on the substitutes' bench.

Three of those newcomers are defenders and they certainly helped to give the defence a far more solid look about it.

However, City were lightweight in midfield, despite the surprise inclusion of Jai Stanley, who was expected to have missed the game because of a knee injury.

In attack, they were a bit predictable at times although the service to the front two was not great.

Right-back Rob Warner was the pick of the new players and always looked in control, while Colin Hoyle had a solid game.

Hoyle operated alongside Barry Woolley, who certainly answered some of his critics, and Paul Carty impressed in midfield, despite a lack of match fitness in his recovery from knee surgery.

Winger Nick Colley struggled to get into the game, however, although he was stopped in his tracks by a crude tackle when a promising break looked on in the first half.

Of the front two, Adam Webster looked lively but found it tough going with strike partner Leon Kelly against Hinckley's three central defenders.

But City could not have made a better start as they took the lead on only five minutes.

Kelly was brought down by goalkeeper Tommy Whittle who escaped with a caution and Webster blasted home the resulting penalty.

The home side were unable to build on this and Hinckley equalised ten minutes later.

Carty brought down Neil Cartwright and experienced front man Paul Barnes glanced in Nathan Lamey's excellently delivered free-kick.

Webster and Kelly were both denied by Whittle but Hinckley's Lamey and Jamie Lenton might have done better when they were well placed.

The heat began to take it's toll in the last 20 minutes or so but both teams could have snatched victory.

Former Kidderminster Harriers forward Matt Lewis volleyed wide for Hinckley and a late header from Hoyle hit the back of colleague Woolley before drifting out for a goal-kick.

City: McDonnell 7, *Warner 8, Hines 6, Hoyle 7, Woolley 7, Carty 7, Colley 5 (Moore 78) 6, Stanley 6 (McDonald 65, 5), Webster 7, Kelly 6, Lyons 6. Subs not used: Davies, Khan, Skyers.

Attendance: 876.