City snatch point in late drama

An Ethan Moore penalty snatched a point deep into injury time for Worcester City, who twice came from behind to salvage a point from Gainsborough Trinity.

In late drama, City were awarded a penalty, before having appeals for a second, for a challenge by the goalkeeper on Aaron Williams, waved away in the final seconds of the game.

The result means that City are still to register a win in their first eight Skrill Conference North games.

It was a frustrating first half in which City, despite enjoying spells of possession and playing some excellent football, found themselves trailing after a moment of lacksadaisical defending gifted the visitors a goal.

An Exodus Geohaghon header levelled with his first goal for City, in between two Rhys Oates goals for the visitors, before substitute Moore converted his late spot kick.

New signing from Nuneaton Town, Phil Trainer, made the starting line-up, slotting in the place vacated by the departure of Luke Hubbins. Richard Taundry made his home debut, but limped off injured in the second half, and Josh Smith, who impressed after his part in City’s 0-0 draw at Colwyn Bay at the weekend, starting ahead of the injured George Williams.

Gainsborough had a goal disallowed after five minutes with Jose Viega deeming to have been obstructed from a corner, with the resulting poke home immediately being dismissed by referee Martin Dexter.

After a confident start in which the side played some excellent passing football, City nearly found themselves behind. With their first real chance of the game, Trinity’s Conner Robinson fired a fierce curling effort on the turn fizzing past the post.

But City were probing and dominated the first half, using the damp surface to zip the ball across the Aggborough pitch trying to open gaps in a Gainsborough side who have lost six out of seven games this season, limiting the visitors to just the odd counter attack.

But as has happened too often this season, despite a bright opening twenty minutes, City found themselves behind.

A seemingly harmless long ball was allowed to bounce by Graham Hutchinson before his weak header clear fell to former Peterborough defender Exodus Geohaghon, who awkwardly tried to control the ball before being pick-pocketed by Rhys Oates, with the striker rounding Jose Veiga before calmly putting the ball into an empty City net.

City did not panic. They continued to zip the ball across the field, and were close to an equaliser moments later. Geohaghon’s long throw was headed out to the feet of Tom Thorley, who crossed to the back post, with Danny Glover stinging the palms of the goalkeeper, before Rooney’s rebound was blocked.

After home Debutant Richard Taundry was fouled on the edge of the area, Nathan Rooney cannoned a sweetly struck free kick at goal only to be thwarted by goalkeeper Phil Barnes, who parried unconvincingly to safety.

Gainsborough started the second half brightly and nearly doubled their lead as Liam Davis travelled into the City half, managing to reach the box before cutting the ball back to Rhys Oates, whose shot was blocked.
City levelled the game eight minutes into the second half. Josh Smith’s dangerous cross lead to the ball being turned behind, with appeals for handball.

But the resulting Tom Thorley out-swinging corner from the left was met by a leaping Exodus Geohaghon, whose header bounced into the far corner of the net, atoning for his earlier error.

Geohaghon, who’s long throw has given City an extra attacking dimension, nearly doubled his tally moments later, but this time he headed Tom Thorley’s corner onto the crossbar and behind for a goal kick.

But it was Trinity who took the lead again on the hour-mark, with Rhys Oates bagging his second of the game with a low shot from the edge of the area beating Jose Veiga at his near-post.

Richard Taundry suffered a premature end to his home debut after suffering a groin injury, leaving the field on the physio’s order, although it is not thought to be serious..

There was little threat on the Trinity goal as the minutes ticked down, with the imposing defender Geohaghon joining Nti and substitute Ethan Moore up front in a target man role, and the calmness of the first half was replaced by frantic play as City desperately tried to get the ball forward in a bid to avoid defeat.

City were handed a life line deep into added time as debutant Phil Trainer dinked a lofted ball over the Trinity backline to Ethan Moore, who was deemed to be shoved to the floor in the area by the referee.

Moore himself stepped forward and calmly converted the spot kick, sending Barnes the wrong way and stealing a point for the home side.
The drama did not stop there. Moments later Aaron Williams rounded the goalkeeper and once again City appealed for a penalty after the winger was seemingly caught by the keeper’s advance. The referee waved away the protests, and City had to settle with a point.

Carl Heeley thought his side were unlucky to be denied a second penalty, and was disappointed that the side could not follow their impressive weekend defensive display after conceding a “comical” goal early on.

“I thought defensively it was littered with errors this evening. It’s very frustrating because prior to that we played some great football and all we needed to add was the final ball in the last third”, said Heeley.

City are hoping to be further strengthened by the return of Shabir Khan after suspension and George Williams after injury ahead of Saturday’s home game against Workington, where the hunt for the first win continues.

Report by City Match Reporter: Alex Harris