Tuesday, October 26, 2004

WORCESTER City were forced to settle for another 2-2 draw last night after twice squandering the lead at Vauxhall Motors in Nationwide North.

Delightfully worked goals from Nick Colley and Leon Kelly put City in front on two occasions either side of half-time, only for the Motormen to slam the brakes on with a double riposte of their own.

The result was City's sixth 2-2 of the season, their ninth league draw overall, and much of last night bore the hallmarks of Saturday's topsy-turvy clash at Southport as both sides fought for the honours.

But the outcome should have been so much better for Worcester had they killed the game off early in the second-half.

Barton said: "It's disappointing because we have dropped two points when we shouldn't have. We played really well first-half but we encouraged them too much in the second-half."

City drew first blood on 23 minutes when the lively Colley tucked away his first goal for the club. He slotted the ball into an empty net after Pat Lyons found him unmarked just eight yards out.

Kelly should have doubled City's advantage a minute into the second-half, but he failed to beat goalkeeper Tim Dittmer after initially latching onto a long ball from Les Hines. Strike partner Mark Owen then saw his 12-yard drive blocked after a fine run and cut-back from Colley.

Motors engineered an equaliser on 55 minutes following careless City defending. Carl Nesbitt found Peter Cumiskey in space and he coolly lobbed James Coates from the edge of the penalty box.

However, it took just eight minutes for Worcester to get their noses in front again. A terrific pass from Colin Hoyle sent Colley down the right and his cross was headed home by Kelly.

But City were pegged back again on 72 minutes when James Olsen's looping left-foot shot dipped over Coates into the far corner.

Both sides came close to snatching a late winner, with substitute Adam Webster striking the bar for City before Coates denied Cumiskey.

City: Coates 7, Warner 7, Hines 6, Hoyle 6, Heeley (c) 6, Carty 6, H Colley 8, Snape 6 (Warmer 76), Owen 6 (Webster 80), Kelly 7, Lyons 6. Subs (not used): McDonald, Khan, Skyers.

n Worcester take on Stafford Rangers in the Carthium Cup at St George's Lane next Monday (7.45pm).