Tuesday, July 25, 2006

WORCESTER City could not find the inspiration to overcome a stubborn Gloucester City side and only managed a goalless draw on a sticky night at Meadow Park.

Andy Preece's team started the match brightly and, on another night, may well have had a pair of penalties.

But they lost their rhythm after making 11 second-half substitutions and as the heat began to take its toll, the Southern League Premier side looked more likely to score.

City welcomed back 'keeper Danny McDonnell after he missed the last game due to his shoulder problem.

Trialists Adam Wooton and Jay Sztybel were both given a chance to impress from the start in a strong City line-up.

The visitors looked keen to stamp their authority early on and skipper Chris Smith let fly with a long-range effort just seconds after kick-off.

Dennis Pearce then swung in a left-footed cross-shot which grazed the bar.

Adam Webster linked up well with the lively Nick Colley and his cross from the right set up Worcester's best chance of the half.

He picked out Wooton six yards out but the winger snatched at his shot. City appealed for a penalty when Chris Thompson flicked the ball onto his hand but referee Ian Hamilton was having none of it.

Towards the end of the half, Sztybel showed his ability to get forward but could not deliver a quality ball.

Preece made seven substitutions at half-time but only livewire Troy Wood made much of an impression.

Wood had a strong appeal for a spot-kick when Thompson appeared to foul him in the box. That was as close as City came for much of the second period as the hosts took the initiative.

Jody Bevan curled an effort just wide and McDonnell denied Luke Corbett.

Late on, another trialist Tom Birch headed just over from a corner but Worcester could not break the deadlock against their resilient opponents.

City: McDonnell (Horton 70), Sztybel (Bulmer 70), Pearce (Watkins 46), Smith (Thompson 46), Khan (Birch 70), Hodnett (Lyttle 46), Stanley (Warmer 46), Colley (Walker 46), Wilding (Cartwright 70), Webster (Wood 46), Wooton (Clegg 46).