Saturday, March 22, 2003

TWO league wins in eight makes grim reading for City and it was an old failing that once again sabotaged their valiant efforts at Havant.

In golfing parlance Worcester were good from tee to green but suffered a lousy case of the yips when they got anywhere near the goalposts.

The upshot was that Havant & Waterlooville swept up the points with a 2-1 win while manager John Barton was left to reflect on a series of 'what ifs' from their latest Dr Martens Premier Division clash.

What if Stewart Hadley had not managed to head wide from three yards in first half stoppage time, what if Adam Wilde had succeeded in taking just one of four good chances, what if Darren Middleton had not blazed over from 12 yards and what if Paul Carty had not miscued right at the death with the goal gaping.

It has been a familiar pattern throughout the season but unfortunately for Barton's blood pressure it doesn't appear any closer to being resolved - City struggle to score goals period. Big wins against Folkestone, Chelmsford and Hastings have boosted the goals for column but when the pressure is on City fire blanks.

Not an opportune time to concede sloppy goals then but that was exactly what happened for Havant's opener on Saturday when Bobby Howe headed unmarked past Danny McDonnell.

The goal did not reflect City's bright start which had seen them look by far the better side. David Foy, a surprise inclusion by Barton, added touch and composure to the middle, allied to the bullish strength of Mitch Counsell whose bone shuddering challenges reverberated around the ground.

Counsell remains raw potential but his silent determination summed up the collective mood to banish the despair generated by last week's debacle against Tiverton

Yet for all the improved possession in the early exchanges City failed to create any clear-cut chances.

Ironically their equaliser in the 35th minute came just when the Hawks had begun to exert their own influence, Wilde winning a free kick which Carty hoisted into the area for Mark Shail to head home his first goal of the season.

Confidence bolstered City set about Havant with renewed vigour but this time with some purpose. Allan Davies picked out Wilde but while the winger's touch was good finish was not and his effort was charged down.

Perhaps the defining moment of the match arrived five minutes later in first half stoppage time. Davies was again the architect, curling an inviting ball for Hadley to nod in from point blank range but somehow he missed.

On such moments are games won and lost and when in the 74th minute James Taylor bundled the ball in from two yards after a lightening break by Lewis Fennemore, it proved the latter for City.

There were other chances for Worcester but the inevitability of defeat hung in the air despite their undoubted efforts.

The big fear now is that their season could be about to go up in smoke.

If it's not they need their big players to start delivering and non more so that Wilde who is proving an enigmatic performer for the St George's Lane club.

He has now gone 13 games without a goal, far too long for a player of his calibre. Aaron Kerr twice denied him with him with smart saves in the second half but in the final analysis he should have done better.

In the final minute he almost atoned by setting up Carty but the left back skied his shot high over from 12 yards to sum up a day of immense frustration.

While Barton can have no complaint about his side's commitment this week the same cannot be said for City's conviction in front of goal.