City earn home point

Worcester City secured a point against their Midlands rivals Tamworth in what proved to be a very entertaining game. Mike Symons first goal since returning to the blue and white stripes put Worcester in front in the first half only for a Kevin Thornton goal to level the scores.

3 Draws out of 4 games so far this season shows what a solid unit Worcester City have become over the space of a year. First team players was something Worcester were struggling with, now the side can boast the experience of players such as Wayne Thomas, Nick Wright and Danny Jackman who have all played at a higher level. Players who started out young and inexperienced at the start of the 2013/14 now have a year of conference north football under their belts and are now thriving as top players at the club. Particularly Ellis Deeney who is now club captain and a very reliant player. Carl Heeley himself believes the side can achieve big things in the strongest Conference North league he has ever seen.

City sprayed the ball well in the opening stages of the match, George Williams, Deeney and Nick Wright’s passing skills were being showed off to a crowd of over 600. David Hibbbert looked like the biggest threat early on for The Lambs as the target man came close with a couple of half chances that new keeper Nathan Vaughan watched round the post.

Tamworth’s tactics were looking evident early on, to get down the left flank as much as possible as experienced left back Daniel Sleath was supplying many balls into the box but Hutchinson and Thomas were equal to the danger.

Wayne Thomas was the man with the first real Worcester City chance, as Danny Jackman swung in a good corner that left Tamworth struggling at the back post only for the former saints’ man to head over.

Nathan Vaughan looked comfortable with everything that came his way; no doubt a keeper like Jose Veiga on the bench keeps the young shot stopper on his toes. With 7 different keepers pulling on the yellow jersey last year the Worcester faithful are thriving for an out and out goalkeeper.

The rain started to pour at Aggborough on the stroke of the half hour mark but Worcester did not let this mar their strong first half performance. The only criticism you could throw at City so far this season is that they don’t seem clinical enough, something that was a problem for the side last year.

Worcester’s strong back line was denying Thornton’s number 10 any chance of getting in and behind to help his supporting striker Hibbbert who would often look to flick the ball onwards. Hutchinson and Thomas promise to continue there formidable partnership that started at the back end of last season.

Hibbbert finally got space on the edge of the area which fizzled at Vaughan allowing him only to parry the ball to Kevin Thornton. Thornton’s rebound effort was only taken away from the goal via a deflection from a blue and white shirt and the danger was quickly averted.

Nick Wright showed off his dribbling skills on the 28th minute mark were he snaked past four claret shirts, however couldn’t find a city shirt in the penalty area. The fans however were dazzled by this mazy run.
The goal came for Worcester on the 29th minute, when Mike Symons headed in a Tyler Weir cross. Weir ran across the left hand side and chipped in a beautiful ball for Symons who cannoned a header into the bottom right corner. It was Symons first goal since returning to the club from Oxford City and the striker was probably delighted by the chants of ‘Symo’ echoing around the ground.

The game immediately opened up after the goal with both teams spreading the ball about, Creating end to end football for the remainder of the first half. Tamworth stepped up the pressure with a few half chances but Worcester remained solid and dominant and deserved there lead going into the second half.

On the 52nd minute Hutchinson had a great chance to double the scores. A Jackman corner went right to the back post only for Hutchinson’s header to be deflected over. James Belshaw’s performance in goal was certainly and eye opener as he was on top form all afternoon.

The equaliser came from some sloppy defending from the back four. Kevin Thornton managed to pick up on a loose ball in the penalty area only for him to slot it to the right of the falling Vaughan. The goal was against the run of play in the second half and the defending could well of cost Worcester the three points.

The equaliser didn’t damage the morale of the home side as the blue and whites continued to press. However, Tamworth gained in confidence as Hibbbert narrowly missed from a neat header.

Save of the game come from the fantastic Belshaw as he clawed out a close range header from Graham Hutchinson. Most of Aggborough were already up celebrating but the acrobatics of the keeper kept the scores level.

Phil Trainer entered the frame for the last 15 minutes, a former City loanee and also a summer target. It shows the strength of Tamworth’s squad when an experienced player likes himself is sitting on the bench. Daniel Odoh and Tristian Dunkley, two youngsters also were brought on to try and boost Worcester’s attacking options late on.

Daniel Nti had two free kicks just outside the penalty area, the first being hit straight at the opposing keeper, the second which flew over the bar. The two efforts will no doubt disappoint the striker after his free kick strike at North Ferriby last year. This was followed by a Jackson effort up the opposite end which was fit poorly and went wide of the mark.

Both teams were urgently moving forward in the late stages to secure all 3 points but Graham Hutchinson’s blocking save made sure Worcester had at least another point on the board. His lunge denied Hibbert scoring the winner for Tamworth with some real last ditch defending.

Nick Wright used his energy to burst passed the tired Tamworth legs in the final minutes to run half the length of the pitch only to hit an early shot into the grateful arms of Belshaw.

George Williams had the last effort of the game with a well drilled low shot which went inches wide, it would have topped off a good performance for the ever dependable right back. Overall, Worcester will pleased with the solidity of their side, with the main positive being that they looked the stronger out of the two sides despite Tamworth being the relegated side.

Match Report by Jack Rubery