Saturday, December 29, 2001

STEWART Hadley stooped to conquer with a diving header deep in stoppage time to complete a fighting comeback by Worcester City against Dr Mart-ens Premier Division title-chasers Weymouth.

It was perhaps fitting that the loan striker from Kidderminster Harriers should be the player to grab the decisive goal that gave City their third away win of the season and first back-to-back wins since August.

After losing striker partner Mark Shepherd with a hamstring injury in the 27th minute (Allan Davies also departed seven minutes earlier with the same injury) Hadley ploughed a lonely furrow up front and demonstrated just why boss John Barton is so eager to keep hold of him.

He is City's very own version of Mr Velcro Man - every ball just seems to stick to his powerful frame, allowing team-mates time to support or more often than not he beats a brisk path to goal.

Assistant manager Mick Tuohy described Hadley's impact on the side as massive and that is surely no understatement.

"Stewart was outstanding and his goal was thoroughly deserved. He's made a massive impact on the team and I know John is having discussions with both him and Mark Blount about the future but a lot of that is out of our hands," he said.

City had started the match poorly despite enjoying a number of chances with Dwaine McFarlane wasting the best after just seven minutes when he shot weakly at Danny Potter.

Gifted

Matters deteriorated when the Terras were gifted a 29th minute opener by City keeper Paul Wyatt who fumbled a corner to allow Ryan Cross to fire home from close range.

It capped a poor first half by the young keeper, whose kicking was erratic to say the least. Fortunately Wyatt redeemed himself with a brilliant save from David Laws late in the second half.

City emerged a different side after the break and sustained pressure was rewarded with a controversial penalty in the 68th minute - won and converted by Darren Bullock. The former Bury man simply had too much nous for Terras' keeper Danny Potter.

"Obviously people will say I cheated and dived but at the end of the day I took it past the keeper and if he touches you and takes you down it is a penalty -- it's as simple as that," said Bullock. "I'm not complaining and I put it away and we've nicked it at the end.

"First half we were disappointing and it was understandable John had a go at us but we all felt confident we could get something out of the game and second half I think that was the best 45 minutes we've performed since I've been here," he said.

Bullock, whose cross set up the winner for Hadley five minutes into injury time, was quick to applaud the striker.

"Stewart has been absolutely superb since he's been here and today he worked his socks off up front on his own and deserved to score," he said.

Tuohy believes City's revival can be traced back to the 3-1 win at Welling. "That game gave us a bit of confidence," he admitted. "Our away form has not been as good as last year and I thought it was going to be a lot tougher than it was today, particularly losing two injured players, but we were outstanding."

GOALSCORERS: Cross 29 (1-0), Bullock 68 (1-1), Hadley 90 (1-2)

STAR PLAYER: Stewart Hadley.

CARDS: Worcester: Bullock (dissent), Heeley (dissent) (both yellow). Weymouth: D. Rowbotham (dissent).

ATTENDANCE: 903

REFEREE: Mr W. Bull (Baddersley).

Worcester: Wyatt 6, Davies (Jukes 20, 6), Carty 8, Heeley 7, Burrow 8, Holloway 7, McFarlane 7, Blount 7, Bullock 8, Shepherd (Hyde 27, 7), Hadley 9. Sub (not used): Weir.

WEYMOUTH: Potter, Rawlinson, Hale, A. Browne, S. Browne, Cross, J. Rowbotham (Dean), Hutchinson, D. Rowbotham, Laws, Phillips (Robinson, 50).Sub (not used): Underhay.