Saturday, October 30, 2004

THERE was a spooky inevitably that Worcester City would earn the good fortune they so desperately seeked on the eve of Hallowe'en.

Not a single black cat tiptoed into sight at St George's Lane as City profited from a huge slice of luck to register their first Nationwide North win in eight attempts.

Mark Owen's superb second-half brace sent bewildered Altrincham back up the M6 to stew on how they failed to pile more misery on John Barton's men.

The Robins were handed an open invitation to throw more toil and trouble in Barton's direction when City's player-coach John Snape was sent off after just 15 minutes for a foolish scrap with Eddie Hussin.

But terrible finishing from the visitors, sprinkled with Owen's inspired late double, contrived to produce an astonishing result for City at a time when they needed it most.

Barton said: "What happened at the end, you could not see it happening. It seems it was destined to be our day. We have not exactly been blessed with the best of fortune in recent games and this time we had a little bit of luck."

Nobody could have predicted a turnaround when Altrincham piled forward after the interval to add to Colin Little's first-half strike and effectively kill the contest.

However, City have shown in recent contests with Alfreton and Southport that they possess the willpower, and the ability, to dig themselves out of a hole.

They proved so again with a spirited finale and despite being a man short.

The turning point was Barton's introduction of young substitutes Tom Warmer and Liam McDonald who both added urgency.

Yet goalkeeper James Coates and, of course, Owen grab the most plaudits for terrific performances.

The outcome could have been different had Altrincham took full advantage of Snape's red card, which referee Stephen Whitehurst had no option but to show to the veteran midfielder after his assault on Hussin.

Snape clearly took a disliking to his opposite number eight following an early scuffle between the two, but his temper boiled over when he launched his hand into Hussin's face as both players grappled on the turf.

It was a reckless and thoughtless act from such an experienced campaigner.

However, Barton took exception to the decision and vented his anger at the officials. It only led to Whitehurst banishing Barton to the stands too.

City's frustration grew deeper on the stroke of half-time when Altrincham snatched the lead, Little poking past Coates from close range after his original over-head kick came back off Les Hines.

The Robins should had wrapped things up on two or three occasions after the restart, but it seems all efforts on goal were cursed not to hit the net.

Little pounced on a mistake by Paul Carty on 47 minutes and flashed a shot which crashed against the post and dissected Marcus Hallows and Colin Potts as they came in for the rebound.

Hallows then missed a free header from six yards and Coates' one-handed stop kept out Potts.

The introduction of Warmer livened City and the youngster helped unearth a sudden equaliser when his 74th minute cross reached Adam Webster, whose turn and shot was parried by goalkeeper Stuart Coborn, with Owen making no mistake from the follow-up.

Owen incredibly put City in front two minutes later. An attempted header from Peter Band clipped Owen and the prolific striker raced through and rounded Coburn before tucking away delightfully.

Worcester were haunted at the prospect of a third straight 2-2 and magnificently defended their goal in the dying minutes.

Coates typified his side's spirit with a breath-taking double save keeping out Little and Peter Wright in stoppage time.

CITY: Coates 9, Warner 6, Hines 7, Hoyle 7, Heeley 6, Carty 5 (Webster 53, 6), Colley 6, Snape 4, *M Owen 9, Kelly 6 (McDonald 71), Lyons 6 (Warmer 64, 8). Subs not used: Khan, Skyers.

ALTRINCHAM: Coburn, Aspinall, Adams, Band, Talbot, V Owen, Potts (Wright 83), Hussin, Rose (Hallows 25), Little, Scott (Thornley 77). Subs not used: Lugsden, Maddox.

GOAL-SCORERS: Little 45 (0-1), M Owen 74 (1-1), M Owen 76 (2-1).

YELLOW CARDS: Worcester -- Hoyle (foul), Webster (foul); Altrincham -- Hussin (violent conduct), Band (foul), V Owen (foul).

RED CARD: Worcester -- Snape (violent conduct).

ATTENDANCE: 919.

REFEREE: Stephen Whitehurst (Stoke-on-Trent).