Saturday, November 23, 2002

WORCESTER City returned to the top of the Dr Martens Premier League after a convincing 4-1 win at Hastings United.

Goals from Adam Wilde and David Holmes in the first 11 minutes set the tone for a game totally dominated by City.

Adam Webster grabbed a third after half an hour before substitute Mark Owen sealed the win two minutes from time.

The home side were given hope when Darren Middleton was sent off for his second bookable offence on 55 minutes, but apart from a goal by Landry Zahana-Oni, City's lead never looked in doubt.

City manager John Barton said: "I think we could have played anyone today and beaten them by the same scoreline because our level of performance was so high.

"Even when we went down to ten men we still looked like scoring and dominated most of the play.

"It was a great all round performance and we didn't look like a team who have been struggling for goals."

Barton singled out former Cambridge City winger Wilde for extra praise, saying: "He was absolutely fantastic and looked like a player beyond this division.

"We worked very hard to get him and we have liked what we've seen so far."

City were given the perfect start when Wilde scored after seven minutes.

Middleton tried to play a one-two with John Holloway, but the ball ran onto Wilde who had found space on the left wing and he fired his shot inside the far post.

It got twice as good for the visitors four minutes later when Webster dispossessed United defender Tommy Osborne, who was trying to shepherd the ball out of play on his own by-line, and crossed to Holmes who calmly controlled the ball on his chest before firing home from 12 yards.

Webster made it three before half time when he was sent through on goal, but he needed two bites at it as home keeper Dave King did well to parry his first effort.

Frenchman Zahana-Oni got one back for the home side with a brilliant header which sped into the top corner from Nick Hegley's cross.

But the United revival never materialised as City continued to dominate even after the dismissal of Middleton for a crude tackle on Duncan McArthur which was his second booking after he had gone in the book for diving in the first half.

Owen wrapped it up on 88 minutes with a brilliant curling lob which dipped into the top corner to give him his third goal of the season.

The St George's Lane club had gone just over six hours without a goal but made light of that statistic and Barton concluded that his players had been simply awesome.

Middleton's dismissal took the shine off the win but Barton was still delighted with his team's performance.

"The first half display was simply awesome, there is no other word for it," he said.

"We took a very positive approach and Adam Webster and David Holmes were outstanding up front, allowing the ball to stick up front.

"Jon Holloway, Pat Lyons - I could go on through the team - all played well and I think we could have been six up at the break."

Barton also felt Middleton was unlucky to receive a red card for two bookable offences.

"The second yellow was justified but how he picked up the first booking for diving defied belief but as so often it proved costly," he said.

"He was hooked from behind on three occasions and the third time he finally went over but they were savage challengs and I don't understand how he was booked for diving."