Monday, August 6, 2001

WOLVES' boss Dave Jones was in the stands to watch a lively and skilful Molineux side denied a goal by a hard-working team effort from Worcester City.

The St George's Lane outfit emerged off the back of two recent disappointing defeats to hold their First Division opponents to a 0-0 draw.

The visitors dominated the first-half with Danny McDonnell pulling off a number of quality saves but City bounc-ed back after the break and created several chances.

McDonnell's first serious test came from Giovanni Speranza when the tricky trialist struck a rasping drive from the edge of the box on 20 minutes which the City keeper saved low to his right.

On 31 minutes Colin Larkin raced through the City defence but was thwarted by an advancing McDonnell whose blocked save was scooped wide by John Melligan following up.

Bustled

City's best chance of the first half came from Ian Reed who bustled his way into the area after 35 minutes after a superb ball from Andy Ellis but his shot was tipped round the post by Ian McAlden.

Forward Kevin Francis battled hard and was given a generous round of applause by a crown of 1,507 when replaced by Mark Owen but it was fellow trialist Darren Middleton who caught the eye with some strong running.

He had the best chance of game in the 59th minute when Reed played him through clean on goal but he shot over the bar from the edge of the area.

Middleton produced a snap-shot on 64 minutes after a good turn and five minutes later half-volleyed wide from close range after an Ellis cross.

Owen looked sharp and forced a good save from Ian McAlden in the Wolves goal with a left-footed shot on 77 minutes and on 86 minutes saw a 20-yard shot drift narrowly wide.

After the game City skipper Carl Heeley was pleased with his side's performance and that of Francis and Middleton up front.

"We were made to work hard against a good, experienced side but we more than matched them," he said.

"I thought the good thing was that in the last 20 minutes we were as strong, if not stronger than them.

"The trialists looked quite sharp and I thought Darren Middeton looked particularly sharp."

Worcester: McDonnell, Weir, Greenman, Davies (Wyatt, 59), Heeley, Holloway, Reed (Hyde, 59), Ellis, Burrow (Goodman, 80), Middleton, Francis (Owen, 54).