Saturday, February 15, 2003

WORCESTER City dispelled any fears that their season might tail off into oblivion with a 6-0 demolition of lowly Folkestone Invicta.

Hat-trick hero Adam Webster led the way, hungrily filling his goalscoring boots to take his tally to 13 for the season, and his team-mates eagerly joined in the scoring spree with Stewart Hadley, Allan Davies and Mark Blount also netting.

Recent defeats may well have dampened Worcester spirits but there was little evidence on this showing and within seconds of Webster's opportunistic strike in the third minute, confidence started to ooze through John Barton's makeshift side.

Unfortunately the competing claims of Man Utd-Arsenal and England-France in the Six Nations had dented the attendance figures, restricting the gate to a meagre 751 but the hardy souls that managed to haul themselves from the warmth of their living rooms to St George's Lane had plenty to enjoy.

Ironically they almost stumbled into a match of rugby scoreline proportions and but for some desperate defending City could have run up double figures.

Worcester boss John Barton fielded an adventurous 3-4-3 looking line up - eight injured or suspended first teamers forcing his hand somewhat - but it paid handsome dividends with Hadley pulling the strings up front, Webster a willing runner and Adam Wilde a threat just behind.

Folkestone, now rooted to the bottom of the Dr Martens Premier Division, had little to offer and the match was effectively over as a contest in the 32nd minute when Webster's left foot shot was deflected past the hapless Maurice Munden for his second goal.

The veteran keeper would undoubtedly be happy to never set foot in St George's Lane again after another mauling at the hands of City.

Munden was on the wrong end of an 8-0 thrashing at the Lane in the mid 80s with

Folkestone Town and when Blount made it six he must have feared the worst. After conceding 16 goals in his last three away games Munden could be forgiven for thinking an afternoon's shopping with the missus in Tesco is an infinitely more preferable way to spend his Saturdays.

For their part City must wish every game against lower-rated opposition could be like this. At various times this season they have held the upper hand in matches but failed to kill off opponents as dropped points to Ilkeston and Hinckley testify.

There was never such danger this time round and pleasingly for Barton his team went on to equal his previous biggest league win which came with a Darren Bullock inspired defeat of Salisbury a little over 12 months ago.

The third goal came from Hadley - a perfectly executed volley - and reward for his teasing and prompting.

Dubbed Lord Hadley by his team-mates the ex-Kidderminster Harriers' striker has a regal touch about him and even though less than 100 per cent fit he still illustrated instant control and excellent link up play.

After his effort it was time to sit back and enjoy the show.

Goal number four came from Davies, who Barton revealed under normal circumstances would not have started due to another groin strain.

But with injured players stacking up like jets over a crowded Heathrow Davies was thrust into service on the right side of midfield and was rewarded with his second spectacular goal of the season. Catching his marker off guard Davies raced into the edge of the box and at full tilt his sweetly struck shot from Wilde's corner flew in off the post.

Webster completed his first hat-trick for Worcester in the 55th minute when Hadley threaded a ball through to him and he calmly slotted the ball between Munden's legs.

Folkestone made the odd foray up front but when they did Danny McDonnell blocked the way.

Blount bundled the ball over from two yards for number six with 22 minutes left on the clock to cap Worcester's first victory since the 2-1 defeat of Tamworth in early January.