Worcester City were defeated in their first home game away from St George’s Lane for 108 years as Altrincham came from a goal behind to win 3-1 a closely fought game.

City lead at the break after striker Danny Glover hammered home a spectacular left footed volley from outside the area and were the better team for much of the first half.

But it was the visitors, who were looking to bounce back from last season’s play-off semi-final defeat, who came from behind with goals from prolific striker Damien Reeves and substitutes Kyle Perry and Carl Rodgers, to prove why they are considered by many to be one of the favourites for the Skrill North title.

It was a young Worcester squad that featured six new signings, five of which were featured in Carl Heeley’s starting line-up.

But it was the young City side that hit their stride at the ten minute mark, and they began to take hold of the game. New frontman Dan Nti, who troubled Altrincham’s defence with his strength and pace, went close, forcing Altrincham’s keeper Stuart Coburn to beat the ball away from a tight angle.

Loughborough student Nti was again involved moments later, receiving the ball from Luke Hubbins on the edge of the area before jinking the ball past Scott Leather and whipping a dangerous low ball across to new signing Aaron Williams, who had two chances saved well by keeper Coburn.

Hubbins then worked the ball wide to former Walsall player Aaron Williams, who struck his shot straight into the keeper’s midriff.

But on the twenty fifth minute City’s dominance paid off as they took the lead through a very early goal of the season contender from Danny Glover. Tom Thorley’s pass was headed down by Daniel Nti, and Glover unleashed a spectacular left footed volley into the top left hand corner to give City the lead.

Altrincham hit back immediately, with James Walshaw trying his luck from long range, only to see his effort sail just over the left hand corner, before Jake Moult put the ball across the City goalmouth, but nobody in a red shirt was there to convert.

Altrincham fought back in the closing stages of the half, with captain Shaun Densmore going close from a free kick on the left hand side. He curled the ball over the wall, but Matt Sargeant did well to get down to his right and palm the ball behind. Sargeant was then tasked with saving from a free kick the opposite side from Walshaw, but again turned the ball round the post to ensure that City went into the break with their 1-0 lead still intact.

Daniel Nti was replaced by Ebby Nelson-Addy at half time as he failed to shake off his first half injury, as he landed awkwardly after challenging for a header. Manager Carl Heeley said after the game that the injury was “innocuous” and unlikely to be serious, but admitted that the team missed the striker in the second half.

Altrincham started the second half on the front foot as James Walshaw charged down Matt Sargeant’s clearance, before crossing to Brian Smikle, whose shot was blocked.

City then went close through midfielder Ashley Sammon’s long range effort, which bobbled in front of the goalkeeper, forcing him to turn the ball behind.

However, Altrincham equalised mid-way through the half as Michael William’s cross was met by last year’s Conference North top scorer Damien Reeves, who headed home for the Robins.

Shabir Khan, who suffered a minor injury in the week, came off the bench to replace Luke Hubbins, with Ellis Deeney moving into central midfield with Tom Thorley, and Ashley Sammons pushing into a more attacking role to support Glover who played as lone striker.

Altrincham snatched the lead just before the eightieth minute, as Gianluca Havern headed a corner across goal for substitute Kyle Perry to head home from close range with a real poachers effort.

Nicky Clee came close to adding to Altrincham’s lead after hitting a dipping long range shot that cannoned off the crossbar, to the relief of the City fans.

Worcester attacked during the final stages. Ellis Deeny whipped in a free kick from the wing that was agonisingly short of being turned in, before Nelson- Addy fired a speculative effort high and wide from the edge of the box.

But any hopes of a comeback were quashed in the eighty-ninth when Kyle Perry’s through ball to substitute Carl Rodgers was fired past Sargeant to ensure the reds travelled back to Cheshire with three points.

City boss, Carl Heeley, believed his side were unlucky, and ultimately, Altrincham’s strength in depth changed the game.
“The differences today were the substitutions they have been able to make and the quality of those lads coming on like Clee, Perry and Rodgers. They’ve all been top players and still are top players – that’s the difference today. You need great quality players to come on and change the game and Altrincham have got that. Unfortunately, we haven’t. And that’s no detriment to the boys who went off the bench for us, but the top sides have got that quality.”

Heeley believed his side had made a real statement with their performance against a highly rated side.
“I think we’ve seen today we’re not going to be push-overs”, he said.

Attention for City will now turn to Tuesday night’s game away trip to Gloucester City, in the hope to register their first points of the season.

Attendence: 714

Report by Alexander Harris : WCFC Match Reporter
Highlight of the game can be found on The WCFCTV Channel