Monday, October 29, 2001

CUP fever gripped St George's Lane last night as Worcester City's biggest crowd for three years saw them defeat plucky Belper Town 3-1 to book a lucrative first round clash with Rushden & Diamonds.

The match was delayed for 15 minutes as 2,377 spectators flooded through the turnstiles for this FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay.

John Barton's side, with eight players missing through injury or suspension, showed one change to the team that struggled on Saturday with Jamie Hyde in for Marc Burrow who was relegated to the substitutes' bench.

The crowd was soon sparked into life when inspirational skipper Carl Heeley headed a 16th minute opener from a Darren Bullock free-kick.

Belper showed glimpses of form and City's keeper Paul Wyatt produced a stunning reflex save from a Carl Cunningham point black header in the 24th minute.

City loosened their grip at the start of the second-half and Wyatt almost conceded a freak goal in the 61st minute when his clearance struck Brendan Morgan and rebounded inches wide of the post.

But with Belper pressing for an equaliser Darren Middleton pounced on a loose back pass in the 81st minute to double City's advantage and three minutes later grabbed his second after a Phil Stant break down the right.

Morgan grabbed an injury time consolation strike for the Nailers but it was too little, too late.

The victory was particularly sweet for Heeley, who has twice missed first round ties, the last against Torquay United three years ago.

"I've been through to the First Round twice and been injured both times, the last time against Tor-quay. I've been playing this game for 15 years and I was beginning to wonder whether I was ever going to get the chance so this is great."

"The crowd was fantastic. I expected 1,700, but the attendance just showed how big this club is.

"The Rushden match is going to be a great day for everyone at the club and it doesn't have to end at the next round. We've got a chance.

"There's a couple of divisions difference but it's the FA Cup and anything can happen -- our cup run is not over yet."

Worcester: Wyatt 7, McFarlane 7, Jukes 6, Heeley 7, Weir 7, Holloway 8, Middelton 6, Ellis 6, Stant 7, Bullock 6 (Burrow 75), Hyde 6.

* The tie with Nationwide League Division newboys Rushden on Saturday, November 17, is set to be a 4,000 all-ticket affair but details have yet to be finalised.