Saturday, July 29, 2006

TWO experienced campaigners used all their know-how to shine in a match that was mainly a run-out for both sides' young starlets.

Unfortunately for Worcester City, Bristol Rovers' older heads Paul Trollope and Steve Phillips played the crucial roles in the visitors' 2-0 win.

Former Welsh international Trollope, the League Two club's player-coach, patrolled the midfield and provided an incisive pass for Adam Mahdi to thump home the opener on 55 minutes.

Goalkeeper Steve Phillips, signed from rivals Bristol City, crowned his first full game for Rovers with an outstanding block to deny Troy Wood.

City fielded goalkeeper Danny McDonnell and Des Lyttle from the start in a team of promising youngsters and trialists but centre-half Justin Thompson lasted just 15 minutes. The big Canadian, who has failed to get much pre-season match-time under his belt, came off after a clash of heads with Mahdi and was eventually replaced by Danny Hodnett.

City only made three more substitutions but it was not a game to remember for youth team goalkeeper Ashley Hor-ton who was at fault for the second goal by Sean Rigg 13 minutes from the end.

Thompson's height caused plenty of problems in the Rovers box during his short spell on the pitch and led to Shabir Khan's acrobatic effort being deflected onto the roof of the net in the third minute.

Although Lewis Powell fired just wide soon after, City had the better opportunities in the first period.

Trialist striker Shane Cart-wright, released by Walsall, robbed dawdling defender Ollie Barnes and put a goal on a plate for Wood but he shot too close to Phillips.

Former Hereford United youngster Adam Wooton then tried his luck after a purposeful run forward although his finish lacked power and the diving Phillips gathered comfortably to his right.

The game needed a goal and Mahdi obliged 10 minutes into the second period, capitalising on Trollope's vision with an arrow-like drive into the far corner that gave Horton, on for McDonnell at half-time, no chance.

Wood was unlucky not to level matters in the 58th minute when he whipped in a fine 20-yard free-kick that clipped the crossbar.

City boss Andy Preece responded by switching to a three-man strike-force with Wooton replaced by Craig Wilding mid-way through the second-half.

Wilding's intelligent link-play nearly paid dividends on 71 minutes when he slid Wood through only for the alert Phillips to race off his line and clear the danger.

Preece's tactical switch gave left-back Dale Watkins plenty of space down the flank.

City did not pass to Watkins enough but when they did, he put in several excellent crosses which forced Rovers into some desperate defending.

The hosts were unfortunate not to score, having a string of shots blocked, but Rigg put the game beyond them on 77 minutes. Horton was slow to gather just inside his area and the Rovers forward nipped in.

City: McDonnell (Horton 46), Sztybel (Bulmer 63), Watkins, Khan, Thompson (Hodnett 17), Lyttle, Warmer, Walker, Wood, Cartwright, Wooton (Wilding 68). Subs (not used): Smith, Clegg, Stanley, Preece, Burley.

Attendance: 353.