Worcester City 1 Stafford Rangers 1
Nationwide North
At: St George's Lane
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Programme: £2 (32 pages)
Weather: bright, dry, mild
Attendance: 1228
Duration: first-half: 45:30; second-half: 46:50
Stafford Rangers extended their unbeaten run to eight league and cup games with a hard-earned draw at St George’s Lane. Even though they have a lowly league position, Worcester made Rangers fight all afternoon just as they did on Boxing Day when the teams drew by the same scoreline at Marston Road. This point, together with second-placed Nuneaton Borough’s surprise draw at Hednesford, ensures Stafford maintain their slender advantage at the top of the Nationwide North table on goal difference.
With Peter Thomson and Lee Downes still missing through injury, there was no surprise with team selection as Phil Robinson named an unchanged side.
Stafford got the game underway defending the canal end in the first half, right to left in relation my press box seat in the main stand.
Neither keeper had been called into serious action before Stafford took the lead in the 15th minute. Shortly after being harshly booked for diving, Robin Gibson delivered a corner, which was cleared back out to the right. The winger returned the ball to the danger area where Neil Grayson slipped it through to Craig McAughtrie who hammered home from 6 yards out.
Nathan Smith forced a save out of City keeper Danny McDonnell and Grayson drilled a shot wide before the home side almost equalised on the half hour mark. The dangerous Leon Kelly headed against the Stafford bar.
As the interval approached, Gibson and Kevin Street combined to create a chance for Smith. The young striker got in a low shot which McDonnell gathered bravely at the feet of Craig Lovatt who got forward to take advantage of any fumble.
Worcester went on the attack at the start of the second half and got back on level terms in the 48th minute. From Rob Warner’s corner, Justin Thompson played the ball towards goal and Adam Webster applied the final touch.
The home side kept up the pressure for long periods of the second half. Webster fired straight at Dean Williams and also sent a couple of other shots just wide of the target.
Despite having to resolutely defend, Stafford were still able to cause problems. Levi Reid forced a flying save out of McDonnell to hold on to a serving 30-yard drive.
Late in the game, Kelly fired across the face of goal and saw a rising shot held by Williams but there was no denying Stafford a vital point.
Worcester City (blue and white stripes / blue / white): 1. Danny McDonnell, 2. Rob Warner, 3. Les Hines, 4. Danny Hodnett, 5. Justin Thompson, 6. Des Lyttle (capt), 7. Tom Warmer, 8. Sam Wedgbury, 9. Leon Kelly, 10. Adam Webster, 11. George Clegg. Subs: 12. Gary Walker (not used), 14. Troy Wood (not used), 15. Graham Hyde (not used), 16. Nic Colley (not used), 17. Shabir Khan (not used).
Stafford Rangers (red/red/red): 1. Dean Williams, 2. Matt Clarke, 3. Nathan Talbott, 4. Craig McAughtrie, 5. Wayne Daniel (capt), 6. Craig Lovatt, 7. Levi Reid, 8. Kevin Street, 9. Neil Grayson, 10. Nathan Smith, 11. Robin Gibson. Subs: 12. Dave Walker (for Street, 70), 14. Paul Groves (not used), 15. Liam Murray (not used), 16. Danny Edwards (for Smith, 79), 17. Phil Robinson (not used).
Referee: Neil Hancox (Walsall Wood).
Assistants: Roger Firmstone (Oswestry) and Carl Griffiths (Gobowen).
Goals:
0-1 Craig McAughtrie (15)
1-1 Adam Webster (48)
Cards:
Worcester: Tom Warmer (YC, 64), Leon Kelly (89)
Stafford: Robin Gibson (YC, 13)
