Saturday, December 22, 2001

A DARREN Bullock-inspired Worcester City gave manager John Barton the perfect Christmas gift with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Newport Isle of Wight on Saturday.

But the Dr Martens Premier Division victory was tempered by more injury and illness headaches for Barton as a flu-ridden Danny McDonnell was sent home before kick-off and Paul Carty and Leon Jackson both limped off injured in the second- half.

Bullock, a surprise inclusion after picking up an ankle injury against Welling, was outstanding and helped City play some of their best football this season on a tricky surface at St George's Lane.

Barton was pleased with the 32-year-old but is still demanding more from his ebullient midfielder.

"There's still a lot to come from him of that there is no doubt but today was his best game for us," he said. "His passing ability and skill on the ball is there for all to see and you can see the improvement since he's played in the Football League.

"But what we want to see is what he made his name for -- tenacity, getting into the box and general mobility around the field --those are what we want to see more of."

City started brightly and Stewart Hadley again led the line superbly -- a defence splitting pass to release Mark Shepherd after 16 minutes illustrating his pedigree.

The opening goal came from a Bullock corner kick in the 26th minute when Mark Blount headed it back across goal for Jon Holloway to nod in from close range.

It was a timely boost for Holloway, who was sent off in the 2-0 mid-week defeat against Tiverton, and admits he is still trying to find his best form for the club.

"I was pleased to get on the scoresheet after the disappointment of Tiverton," he said. "I came under a bit of fire and read a few things people had written and said and a lot of it is true.

"Some of it was a little harsh but since my arrival in the summer I've been disappointed in the way I've been playing. I haven't hit form and some of the criticism is true, but I'll have a smile when I turn it round and start playing well.

"As a team we haven't been playing well but I was brought in to take control of the middle of the park and that hasn't happened for a few weeks.

"I can't put my finger on it because I work hard and put everything into it and I'm sure it won't be long before I start putting in some consistent performances."

Holloway was impressed with the passing and movement of City and believes that holds the secret to their success.

"We did well on a difficult surface and that is the key to playing well as a team -- getting the ball down on the floor," he said.

"There aren't too many teams in this league that play a great deal of football. Obviously you have to battle to earn the right to play, but when you play football that is when you open teams up."

City created a succession of chances in the first-half and Holloway should have grabbed a second on 38 minutes but he shot straight at Colin Matthews.

The second goal came in first-half injury time following a Gazza-esque dribble and shot by Bullock which was parried to Shepherd whose effort fell kindly for Leon Jackson to slide home from six yards.

Jackson was delighted with his first goal for Worcester and also the possession his side enjoyed. "The goal's been a long time coming but I can relax now and hopefully there will be a lot more to come this year," he said. "We needed the result today and everybody put the effort in and I think we got our just desserts. Since I've joined we haven't been keeping the ball well but today we broke well and took our chances."

Hadley capped his excellent display with his first City goal in the 63rd minute which he slotted home after Jackson's shot fell into his path.

Shepherd added a fourth in stoppage time following a good reverse pass by Holloway to set them up for their Boxing Day clash at Hinckley.