City gain point at high flying Brackley

Worcester City have claimed their first point of the season following a hard fought 0-0 draw against Skrill North high flyers Brackley Town.

City lost Shabir Khan and Aaron Williams through injury, with Williams leaving the stadium on crutches, and had late chances to steal the game with Richard Munday heading over and Luke Hubbins shooting at the goalkeeper.

Town were the favourites going into the game after winning both of their opening games. But City, who had chances to steal the game late on, shut out a Brackley attack who had scored four times in their opening two games, and the Saints are yet to concede in their opening three Skrill North games.

Jose Veiga started his first game for Worcester City, with Matt Sargeant dropping to the bench. Both Danny Glover and Graham Hutchison recovered from injuries picked up during Tuesday’s midweek loss at rivals Gloucester City and started the game, with Khan retaining his place at left back, with the versatile Ellis Deeney starting in his third different position of the season at centre midfield.

City went into the game after positive performances that proved fruitless in their hunt for their first Skrill North points of the season, losing both their opening games. But in contrast, City’s opponents have high expectations coming into the season after losing in last year’s play-off final, and have started the campaign well, winning both opening games against Barrow and Histon.

After a scrappy opening quarter, Brackley had the first chance of the game as Glenn Walker fed veteran Conference striker Charlie Griffin, who tried to hit his shot early, but it bobbled disappointingly through to debutant Veiga.

It was the striker’s last action as he limped off injured at the nineteen minute mark and was replaced by Gary Mulligan.

The first meaningful save, in what was a drab first half in terms of goalmouth action, came on the half hour mark, as Brackley’s Greg Kaziboni connected with a Graham Hutchinson clearance, but struck his effort straight into the midriff of City keeper Veiga.

City had a handball appeal turned down, as a Tom Thorley free kick was driven low and flicked into a mass of bodies off the heal of Danny Glover. The referee denied the appeals.

The away side looked bright but had few chances in the first half, with Brackley dominating possession. Glover crossed for Nelson-Addy just before half time, but the striker failed in his improvised attempt to flick the ball goal wards.

Brackley threatened with the lively Greg Kaziboni, whose cross fell to the feet of substitute Mulligan, who fired low and drew a fine save by Veiga who saw the ball late, palming the shot before collecting it.

City changed shape and personnel at half time, with Shabir Khan being replaced by Ashley Sammons, and Ellis Deeney dropped to left back and Worcester switching to a 4-5-1 formation.

But it was the home side who made a lively start to the second half, drawing a fine double save from Veiga. Greg Kaziboni cut inside from the left and struck a low right footed shot goalwards, but Veiga dived to his right to deny the striker, before bravely smothering the rebound.

Midway through the second half, Danny Glover’s diagonal ball found Aaron Williams on the right hand side, but nobody could connect with the wide-man’s fizzed ball across the six yard box.

City threatened again with twenty minutes remaining, as Danny Glover’s cross fell to Luke Hubbins, who struck the ball at keeper Billy Turley, who adjusted well to clutch the shot.

Worcester maintained their spell of dominance as Tom Thorley was brought down by a cynical foul on the edge of the Brackley box. Town skipper Ryan Austin received a yellow card, but Tom Thorley fired the central free kick well over the bar.

Danny Glover was also brought down on the edge of the area moments later after driving through the heart of the Brackley midfield, but Nelson-Addy struck his free kick over the bar.

City pushed Brackley back in a nervous final ten minutes, but failed to make the most of their crosses into the box.

Aaron Williams was helped off the field after picking up a knock and was replaced by Danny Williams, with Brackley taking Kaziboni off and replacing him with Nat Jarvis.

City looked like the team that would snatch the lead as Brackley were working the ball into threatening positions, but without testing Veiga, much to the frustration of the home fans, and were beginning to be pushed further back by Carl Heeley’s side.

The away side missed a glorious chance to snatch the win with four minutes remaining. Ellis Deeney forced the corner and Tom Thorley’s ball into the box found an unmarked Richard Munday, but the defender headed agonisingly over from inside the six yard box, before Ashley Sammons’s stabbed pass found Hubbins on the right, whose shot was palmed behind by Turley.

Carl Heeley commended his side’s work rate and commitment during the performance, saying that his side had “come on leaps and bounds this week”.

However, the City boss will be hoping that Daniel Nti, who failed a fitness test ahead of today’s game, will be fit for Monday, but feared that Aaron Williams, who left St James Park on crutches, could have a potentially lengthy side-line spell.

“The physio said that he could have nicked his cartilage”, admitted Heeley.

City will be buoyed by their first point of the season in a difficult fixture, and will be hoping to carry the momentum of the game into Monday’s home game against Hednesford Town.

Attendance 312
WCFC Match Reporter: Alexander Harris