Second defeat as City lose Severn Derby

City have fallen to their second consecutive defeat as they lost the Severn derby to rivals Gloucester City as Aaron Williams hit the post late on.

Gloucester were gifted the lead after Graham Hutchinson inadvertently turned the ball into his own net early in the first half.

Gloucester’s Scott Wilson dinked the ball past Matt Sargeant early in the second half to double the Tigers lead, before defender George Williams headed home what turned out to be a consolation goal for Worcester, as Aaron Williams fired a late effort onto the post that would have snatched a deserved point from the game.

The derby sparked into life after chaotic scenes midway through the second half, as Shabir Khan and Matt Coupe clashed off the ball, with both defenders being sent off. Play was called to a standstill while calm was restored to both teams, after the incident was the catalyst for a moment of bedlam.

Despite being on-field rivals, the two clubs are in very similar positions off the field, both being forced to play in exile while new stadiums are being fought for. Gloucester City chairman Nigel Hughes wished Worcester the best off the field in the match day programme, but the good spirit off the field was replaced by passion and fire on it.

Danny Nti failed to make the starting line-up after picking up an injury during Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at home to Altrincham. Ellis Deeney moved forward to left midfield, with Shabir Khan starting at left back and Aaron Williams moved up front. Gloucester left-back Tyler Weir played against his former Worcester club.

Worcester dominated the opening stages and forced a corner with a minute on the clock. From the corner central defender, Richard Munday, forced a point blank save from goalkeeper, Mike Green, with a powerful header from inside the six-yard box, with the goalkeeper reacting well to block the effort.

Gloucester took the lead with fourteen minutes gone as a long ball fed pacey striker, Scott Wilson, through on the right hand side. Wilson crossed low across the six-yard box and the ball was turned into the net via the toe of Worcester defender, Graham Hutchinson, and Gloucester lead despite Worcester being the brighter side in the opening stages.

There were worrying signs with half an hour gone in the first half, as Goalkeeper Matt Sargeant went down after punching a Lewis Hogg free kick clear. The keeper was given the all clear, and played on.

Worcester pushed at the end of the first half, and a frantic spell saw Green save again from Munday, with the defender collecting a Tom Thorley long ball inside the box and placing his shot at the near post with the inside of his left foot, but Green made himself big and turned the ball behind.

Ashley Sammons then crossed to Danny Glover, whose tame header was saved easily by Green.

A disastrous start to a much livelier second half saw Gloucester double their lead within five minutes of the restart. The ball was well worked by the Tigers left back Tyler Weir and Matt Groves who then played a smart through ball to Scott Wilson, who calmly chipped the ball passed an advancing Matt Sargeant.

Worcester halved the lead moments later, as Luke Hubbins crossed deep into the box from the left hand side near the corner flag, George Williams planted a fierce header into the far corner to give Worcester hope of salvaging something from the game.

The goal restored hope and the derby game was given some fire.

But the game boiled over and two red cards sparked chaos on the pitch which caused a large delay in play. Shabir Khan and Matt Coupe had battled with each other throughout the game, but both were sent off as an off the ball clash between the two was spotted by the assistant referee.

The incident sparked chaos as the game was completely halted for several minutes, with both teams being involved in a fracas. The teams gathered and calm was restored by the management teams. Play resumed with added spice.

Gloucester nearly finished the game off as Hutchinson, the last defender, slipped facing his own goal, and Scott Wilson latched onto the error, but wasted the opportunity as he fired his shot wide of Matt Sargeant’s goal.

Worcester were agonisingly close to a late equalise, as Danny Williams’s sweet pass found Aaron Williams wide on the left. He cut inside, but his low, near post strike cannoned off the post and out of play for a goal kick.

After the game, Carl Heeley said that his players have no time to feel sorry for themselves, despite losing a game that they could have got points from, but was pleased with his side’s attitude.

“They’re committed and they don’t give up. We’re a bit naïve and maybe we can avoid things with a bit more experience. We’ve got to get it together quickly and learn from the mistakes that are costing us. There’s certainly the ability there and the work rate and the commitment and they’re good qualities to start with”, said Heeley.

Worcester are yet to have registered a single Skrill North point, and will be desperate to gain their first points of the season in a difficult fixture away at last season’s beaten play-off finalists, Brackley Town, on Saturday.

Attendance: 566

Match Report by: Alexander Harris