Saturday, November 30,2002

MANY more displays like this and City are in danger of being re-dubbed The Entertainers.

John Barton's rejuvenated Worcester team slayed the ghosts of recent 'big game' disappointments to defeat Aldershot Town in a gripping FA Trophy second round encounter.

Cup heartache at the hands of Rushden & Diamonds and Stafford Rangers' Centenary choker were erased from the memory with a scintillating first half display, capped by Adam Wilde's brilliant goal in the 38th minute.

Terry Brown's Aldershot will rue chances missed but in the battle of the Dr Martens and Ryman leagues City triumphed in deserved fashion.

Skirmishes

Barton's side went into the match on a high after last week's mauling of Hastings but when in the early skirmishes Lee Charles twice breached a static City defence the signs were ominous.

But, as the goals against column testifies, they are not without resolve as first Danny McDonnell saved bravely at the striker's feet before Paul Carty launched an expertly timed tackle as Charles bore down on goal.

This bout of action in the first 10 minutes roused the home side and almost immediately Darren Middleton and Wilde combined to raid The Shots' left flank and see Anthony Charles slice over his own bar in the ninth minute.

Dominic Sterling caused further panic a minute later when he dealt clumsily with a David Holmes chipped centre and Barton's team were suddenly flying.

Holmes and Adam Webster combined well, winning and laying off balls, while Middleton's probing presence allied to Wilde's speed had Aldershot reeling.

Jon Holloway put in another strong midfield performance and Allan Davies typified the commitment of Barton's side with a succession of vital tackles.

Middleton wasted a free header from a corner in the 18th minute but 60 seconds later Carl Heeley had an even better chance only for Richard Hurst to parry his effort on the line.

Lee Charles countered immediately forcing McDonnell to tip over a rising drive and on 26 minutes City were thankful for Pat Lyons who cleared off his goal line following a Sterling header.

Incidents came fast and furious, though fussy refereeing saw a flurry of unnecessary cards both infuriating and mysterious notably Wilde's.

The decisive moment of the match arrived via an early Middleton pass enabling Wilde to utilise his blistering pace.

Escaping the attentions of Richard Gell, Wilde deftly flicked the ball over the advancing Hurst and saw his perfectly weighted shot beat Anthony Charles' frantic efforts and creep over the line just inside the post.

The second half was no less action packed but the quality of football dipped enabling Aldershot to claw their way back into the match.

Cracking

An outbreak of fighting at the Canal End - quickly quelled and dealt with by the stewards - failed to dilute a cracking cup tie that lived up to its 'non league match of the day' billing.

The Shots pressed hard for an equaliser and conjured up a number of scoring opportunities.

The impressive McDonnell produced a stunning stop to deny Roscoe D'Sane from 15 yards in the 66th minute while an Anthony Charles drive whistled past his post with the keeper flailing helplessly in midair.

With City's grip on midfield ebbing away Barton introduced John Snape whose immediate impact was to head a corner narrowly wide.

He then unleashed a fierce left foot shot that Hurst did well to stop in the 80th minute before Jason Chewins blazed a golden chance over the bar.

It was a momentary lapse by Barton's defence and would have been a cruel blow after City's first half display.