Monday, December 3, 2001

INJURY-jinxed Worcester City had Andy Ellis stretchered off in a bruising 3-2 defeat at home to holders Moor Green in the Worcestershire Senior Cup last night.

The long-standing rivalry between the two sides erupted in the second half with some X-rated challenges -- the worst seeing Ellis taken to hospital with ankle ligament damage as a result.

To add to manager John Barton's injury woes, Phil Stant, who scored both City's goals, was also left struggling with a reoccurrence of his Achilles injury.

There was little to cheer on a stormy night at St George's Lane apart from a spirited display by striker Lee Goodman who won an 84th minute penalty.

City midfielder Marc Burrow said the best side won, but admitted their tackling left a lot to be desired.

"There was some tough tackles especially on Lee Goodman. The player went straight through the back of him, which I thought was a red card," he said.

"The referee let certain things go on the night but that's not to take anything away from Moor Green who were the better side on the night."

The Moors opened the scoring in the 16th minute through John Gayle who beat City's offside trap to coolly chip Danny McDonnell.

Two minutes later Nathan Lamey won a penalty after being brought down by McDonnell which earned the goalkeeper a booking. Then McDonnell brilliantly saved Jai Stanley's spot kick but was unable to stop the follow up.

City pulled one back through Stant on 23 minutes after Moors' goalkeeper Adam Rachel spilled a fierce Darren Bullock drive.

The second period started poorly and then got worse with some fierce challenges including a blatant foul on Goodman that earned Richard Robinson a booking.

Moor Green grabbed their third in the 61st minute when Stanley raced clear to fire his shot past McDonnell.

Stant struck a late penalty to give City hope and Paul Carty almost struck a brilliant equaliser but his thunderous shot was just too high.

Worcester: McDonnell 6, Davies 6, Jukes 6, Heeley 7, Weir 7, Burrow 7, Goodman 8, Ellis 6 (Carty 6, 56), Stant 7 (Shepherd 89), Bullock 7, Hyde 6. Cards: yellow; McDonnell 18 (foul), Carty 90 (foul). Attendance: 302.