Saturday, September 4, 2004

WORCESTER City are still unbeaten but have drawn five of their opening seven games in the Nationwide North.

They managed a 2-2 draw with Runcorn FC Halton at the impressive Halton Stadium on Saturday which keeps them in the top six.

City more than deserved their point but had to do it the hard way, having been 2-0 down inside the first 18 minutes of the game - the complete opposite to their Bank Holiday Monday draw at Hucknall when they led by two goals.

Boss John Barton was forced into making his first change of the season with late signing Aaron Kerr, released by Paul Merson at Walsall last summer after fracturing his wrist, replacing the injured Danny McDonnell in goal.

Despite looking a little bit rusty at times, the former Northern Ireland Under 21 international made an impressive debut which included a couple of good saves at crucial times.

The stadium, home of Widnes Vikings Rugby League club, might have been very good but the playing surface was not great.

Players from both sides were confused by the markings on it - the rugby lines were as evident as the football ones.

City still played decent football on it, while Runcorn, operating with three strikers, favoured the long ball and in Nicky Young had the ideal player for this type of game. His hold-up play was excellent.

City started poorly defensively and both the goals they conceded were poor ones.

The first on 13 minutes came when a quickly taken free-kick from Lee Prior found Young and he coolly fired past Kerr.

From another set-piece, this time a corner, Carl Rendell volleyed home from 10 yards in the 18th minute.

In between, a combination of Leon Kelly and Pat Lyons were denied by Runcorn 'keeper Tony McMillan.

Kerr, who started his career at Wolves before spending a season with Havant and Waterlooville, then made a fine low save from Rendell's shot.

Three goals down at that stage would have probably put City out of the game but they pulled a goal back on 27 minutes.

Les Hines' right-wing corner was helped on by Barry Woolley to Adam Webster who headed home from eight yards.

The visitors then drew level five minutes into the second half as Webster played a square ball to Kelly who coolly slotted his sixth league goal of the season past McMillan.

Both sides continued to create chances but neither could find the elusive winner.

Lyons went close for City, while Ged Courtney twice nearly snatched a winner for Runcorn.

City: Kerr 8, Warner 6 (Davies 90), Hines 6, Hoyle 6, Woolley 6 (Heeley 46, 7), Carty 6 (McDonald 75, 6), Colley 7, Stanley 7, *Webster 9, Kelly 8, Lyons 7. Subs not used: Hobbs, Skyers.

Attendance: 241.

n Four-goal Norman Sylla blasted Redditch United to a 4-1 home win over basement boys Vauxhall Motors in Conference North.

Sylla, signed on loan from Tamworth, struck on 11, 58, 81 and 87 minutes in front of 338 people at the Valley Stadium.

Scott Rickards, a temporary signing from Kidderminster Harriers, helped set up the first goal.

Darren Wright pulled a goal back for the visitors but defender Wayne McDermott was sent off with five minutes to go.