Saturday, August 25, 2001

TEN-man Worcester City grabbed their first win of the Dr Martens Premier Division campaign in a battling 2-1 victory at Ilkeston Town.

Veteran defender Martin Weir was sent off for a professional foul after hauling down David Holmes in the 58th minute but City produced a sterling second-half defensive performance to shut out the Robins.

Manager John Barton was delighted with the three points at the New Manor Ground, and the way his side bounced back from the 4-1 defeat at Kettering Town.

"Those defeats knock you back and it is nice to see us take advantage of their mistakes," he said.

"We changed the system and looked more solid and I think people were more happy with the roles they had to perform.

"But we showed some good qualities as we did in the Margate game, and down to 10 men we dug in and were resilient."

Paul Wyatt, in goal for the injured Danny McDonnell, grew in confidence after a nervy start and pulled a superb reflex save on 73 minutes to keep City in front.

Worcester had reverted to a flat back four with Nathan Jukes in at left-back in place of Matt Gardiner.

But after a shaky opening 10 minute spell when the Robins twice beat City's offside trap to create clear cut opportunities it looked like the home side would score first.

After just three minutes Emeka Nwadike found himself clean through but Wyatt stood up well to save with his feet.

A minute later Ian Robinson saw his shot blocked by a despairing Allan Davies lunge.

On nine minutes Worcester opened the scoring when a long cross-field ball from Mark Owen was headed weakly by Ilkeston's Chris Timons and striker Phil Stant pounced to sneak the ball past Stuart Ford.

The impressive Darren Middleton, playing in central midfield with Jon Holloway, fired in a left-foot shot just wide on 18 minutes before City doubled their lead through skipper Carl Heeley on 25 minutes after a goalmouth scramble.

Heeley drove in from close range following a corner that the Robins failed to clear.

Ilkeston continued to have chances but Gareth Williams failed to take advantage of a Heeley slip and shot weakly at Wyatt.

Five minutes before the break the Derbyshire side pulled one back through Holmes after a spell of pressure.

City failed to clear their lines and full back James Whitehead unleashed a 25-yarder which Wyatt could only palm into the path of Holmes.

The second half started badly when Weir was red carded forcing Barton to bring on Gardiner in place of Ian Reed but City took the sting out of the match and held on for a welcome first win of the season.

It also continued their impressive record against Ilkeston -- City have lost only once to the Derbyshire side in nine attempts.

Besides Weir's dismissal, Middleton and Holloway were both cautioned.

Worcester: Wyatt 7, Davies 6, Jukes 6, Heeley 6, Weir 5, Holloway 6, Middleton 8, Ellis 6, Owen 6, Stant 6 (Shepherd 76), Reed 6 (Gardiner 59, 6). Sub not used: McFarlane.

Star man: Darren Middleton.

Attendance: 521.