City rue missed chances as Harrogate steal late win

Harrogate Town snatched two late goals to leave a desperately unlucky Worcester City rueing several missed chances at the CNG stadium.

Substitute Ashley Worsfeld prodded Town ahead in the 75th minute, before fellow substitute Dominic Rowe slotted home with two minutes of normal time remaining to secure Harrogate a third league win on the bounce, leaving a City side, that deserved more from the game, still without an away win in the league this season.

Aaron Williams and debutant Angus Dior both missed one on ones, and the away side had chances cleared off the line in the second half.

Graham Hutchinson captained the side after Tom Thorley’s midweek departure for league leaders Hednesford Town, and loan-signings Dior Angus and Matt Regan both made their full debuts for City. Ellis Deeney impressed in central midfield, filling in for the departed Thorley.

Harrogate showed their attacking intent from the start as Liam Hardy’s half volley nearly caught out Veiga, but flew wide of the goal in the first minute.

But City started to gain a foot hold in the game and threatened just before the ten minute mark, as Ellis Deeney’s speculative, looping half-volley from distance was spilled by Craig MacGillivray, but a last ditch tackle from Dave Merris denied a lurking Danny Glover a tap-in, and saved the goalkeepers blushes.

City came close again at the twenty minute mark, as Niall Thompson’s low pass into the box was neatly taken by Aaron Williams, but his snapshot at goal was blocked by Merris.

Despite their pressure and having six corners, City could not find a break through.

But that was the case for both sides as Town threatened just before half time, as Shabir Khan’s awkward clearance fell invitingly to Hardy on the edge of the area, who struck his effort straight at Veiga, who beat the ball away.

City found MacGillivray in fine form as Richard Taundry’s whipped cross to the back post was glanced goal wards by frontman Aaron Williams, only for his header to be tipped wide of the post by the fingers of the sprawling stopper.

Debutant Angus Dior missed a glaring chance just before half time, as a neat one-two with Danny Glover saw the winger get behind the Town defence, only to slot his one-on-one wide of the near post. City went into the break goalless, but very much in the game.

Dior was again involved after the restart, curling his left footed effort from the right straight into the midriff of MacGillivray, who gathered easily on the hour mark, before Aaron Williams tried his luck from distance, lashing his on-the-turn half volley harmlessly wide.

But City continued to hold their own and were denied a lead by some frantic Town defending. Ellis Deeney’s free kick was beaten away to Aaron Williams, whose fierce shot was well saved by the leg of MacGillivray, before Graham Hutchinson’s follow up was blocked on the line.

Jose Veiga was forced off moments later with a calf injury after he attempted to claim a corner, with Adam Bolder curling over the bar with the goalkeeper stranded on the floor.

And just seconds after the Portuguese stopper’s departure, Harrogate snatched the lead as Adam Mitchell prodded the ball around Veiga’s hesitant replacement, Harry Ashton, with substitute Ashley Worsfold slotting home from close range with just fifteen minutes left on the clock.

City had the chance to hit back immediately as Aaron Williams was found unmarked in the area, but his shot was met with a remarkable reaction save from the keeper to turn the ball behind and deny City what would have been a deserved equaliser.

But it was Harrogate who settled the game with two minutes of normal time remaining, as Dominic Rowe slotted calmly past Ashton to secure the win.

Manager, Carl Heeley, admitted that he “couldn’t have asked for more” from his players.

“When you’re down there everything goes against you. I thought we looked comfortable. I thought we defended really, really well.

“Their goalkeeper was man of the match. He’s pulled off three unbelievable saves. That performance warranted more than a 2-0 defeat.

“Luck’s deserting us at the moment. The league positions not great but the performances are far, far better than that”, said Heeley.

Attention for City will now turn to Tuesday night’s home game against Leamington, and Carl Heeley’s side could be without Jose Veiga, Shab Khan and Matt Regan, who all picked up injuries in the defeat.

Attendance: 443

Report by: Alex Harris