Monday, September 3, 2001

MARK Owen emulated his more illustrious England namesake with a hat-trick last night to sink Moor Green 3-2 and take Worcester City to third place in the Dr Martens Premier Division.

The striker's goal tally for the season now stands at 10 from six games and topped an impressive opening 45-minute display by Worcester at St George's Lane.

City's Darren Middleton, who missed two clear-cut chances in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Newport IoW, was Moor Green's tormentor-in-chief, creating one goal for Owen and winning a penalty in first-half stoppage time.

Manager John Barton was delighted with his side's first-half showing. "I thought the first 45 minutes was as good as we've played for a long time," he said.

Barton singled out Middleton's display for particular praise, especially following his two missed scoring opportunities at the weekend.

"I thought Darren's performance in the first-half was as good as I've seen from a non- league player in a long while.

"I thought it was strong and positive. After Saturday he's taken responsibility, put himself on the firing line and made things happen for us."

City broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. Martin Weir picked out Middleton in midfield who turned and beat his man before slipping a delightful pass through for Owen to slide the ball past former Hereford United goalkeeper Andy De Bont.

Middleton, who rifled a shot just over on 36 minutes, won a penalty in the 47th minute when he shimmied past Richard Softley, whose desperate tackle sent him crashing to the ground. Owen stepped up to convert from the spot.

The second-half began poorly for City who conceded too much possession and they were made to pay in the 64th minute when Nathan Lamey scored.

But City restored their two-goal advantage on 78 minutes when Owen followed up a Jamie Hyde shot to grab his hat-trick.

The crowd of 837 were left to face an anxious five minutes of injury time when Weir brought down Lamey for Jai Stanley to score from the penalty spot.

Worcester: Wyatt 6, Burrow 6 (Cottrill 45, 7 booked), Jukes 7, Heeley 7, Weir 7, Holloway 7, Middleton 9, Ellis 7, Owen 8, Shepherd 6, Hyde 6.