City extend unbeaten run after goalless draw

City extended their unbeaten run to four games after a goalless draw with AFC Telford United.

The home side, who were relegated last year from the Conference Premier, had the best of the chances, hitting the woodwork twice in the second half and having the ball cleared off the line.

But City held their own with another impressive defensive display and ensured that their run of positive results continues following their first victory of the season in Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of AFC Workington.

City named an unchanged side following Saturday’s emphatic victory. The fact that the home side also hit their opponents, Colwyn Bay, for four on Saturday indicated the home fans in the 1330 crowd could have anticipated somewhat of a goal fest. They would be sadly mistaken.

United made a positive start, with Tony Gray’s through ball unleashing winger Robbie Booth, whose first time cross was glanced wide off the head of Adam Farrell within the first minute of the game.

AFC Telford’s best chance of a rather lacklustre first half for the Home team came from a corner, but Andy Owen’s attempt to bundle home was thwarted by a mass of City player’s, before the ball was hammered clear.

Both sides rarely threatened in the first forty-five minutes, but Daniel Nti’s low cross midway through the half was nearly turned into his own net by United’s Mike Grogan. Tom Thorley’s resulting corner went straight out of play.

Worcester came into the game towards the latter stages of the half. First, a blocked Ethan Moore shot from the edge of the area fell fortuitously to the feet of Nti, whose snapshot was blocked.

Moments later, Danny Glover, who again started on the left where he had proved so effective in Saturday’s win, cut inside and nearly recreated his goal against Workington, as he skipped past several defenders, but sent the resulting right footed drive cannoning off a defender.

AFC Telford nearly took the lead just three minutes after the restart, with Mike Grogan smashing the woodwork for the home side.

City hit back and Danny Glover’s right footed cross was punched tamely clear by goalkeeper Ryan Young to the edge of the area to midfielder Phil Trainer, who struck his volley into floor before it was tipped over the bar by a stranded Young.

A defensive mix up in the City ranks then allowed frontman Adam Farrell in on goal, but he struck his shot across Veiga and against the post.

The attacking continued as Phil Trainer’s neatly clipped ball wide found Glover, who crossed low towards Nti, whose sliding challenge to attempt to nick the ball from an advancing Young was deemed dangerous by referee Michael D’Aguilar, who booked the City target man.

The Bucks piled on the pressure midway through the half. A cleared corner rolled tantalisingly towards Sean Cooke on the edge of the area. The midfielder’s poorly struck shot found its way into the City area, before Adam Farrell’s stab goal wards was met by Phil Trainer who cleared off the line to deny his former team.

The last ten minutes sparked life into the game as both teams sensed there was a real chance of stealing three points. It was the cue for frantic end-to-end attacking unseen in the first half.

City had their own chances to steal the game. They countered with the pace of Aaron Williams, who ran down the right channel, entering the United box before lashing his near post shot against a sprawling young, before having the rebound blocked by Simon Grand.

Glover then crossed low into the six yard box, but the ball skimmed off the right boot of Nti with the goal gaping.

United had the chance to steal the game into injury time. The long throw of Andy Owen’s was headed clear by Shab Khan to the feet of substitute Sean Cooke, whose cross was headed over the bar, meaning that City would leave Shropshire with a hard-fought point.

A delighted City manager Carl Heeley spoke of his pride in the performance of his team.

“We deserve some luck tonight. We deserve the ones hitting the post because I thought my players tonight were absolutely magnificent. They’ve done this football club proud and I’m proud of every one of them tonight because Telford are tipped to win the league and there was nothing between us”, said Heeley.

“I’m not going to say a negative thing this evening because there are no negatives. The characteristics and the team spirit mean everything. The togetherness and determination not to get beat was huge this evening and as I said I’m proud of every one of them.”

City will take their positive league form into Saturday’s FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round tie at Home against Coventry Sphinx of the Midland’s Alliance, kick off 3pm

Attendence: 1330