Peter Wilson's report from VICS' narrow win at Worcester:

?In terms of quality and flair this was Vics least impressive display for some time. But manager Steve Burr has continually argued that on occassions we will need to grind out results and that is what happened at St George's Lane today to enable an 104 year old record of straight wins to be equalled. An early error from Handyside almost let in Webster but Chapman reacted with the timeliest of interventions and tackles to save the day. Moments later and the same player released Allan with a precision pass and from his cross Mayman struck a left foot shot high and wide. Shortly after the unfortunate 16 year old Worcester midfielder Wedgebury was forced to leave the field with a head injury Roca broke to find Brayson and he cut inside to cross toward Allan who, on another day might have reached it to score, just failed to connect directly in front of goal. Rogers cut out a McDonald cross before producing his first real save of the game to keep out a Webster shot. The game was just 23 minutes old when Worcester lost their second player to a head injury and player manager Andy Preece joined the fray. He did briefly break the tedium of an increasingly mediocre game by calling on Rogers to save a 30 yard free kick but otherwise the half looked to be heading for a stalemate until Allan stooped to head an Elliot free kick onto the roof of the net and then BRAYSON took possession on the edge of the box to attempt a shot which took a wicked deflection to lift over the head of a hapless keeper and into the net.
An even more mundane second half saw both teams concede possession too readily and therefore chances were at a premium. To give credit to Vics, despite an ever diminshing share of the possession, they never allowed the home side a clear shot at goal and on the rare occassion that they did show inspiration themselves created the only chances of the game. A mistake by Khan left Allan with only the keeper to beat but his attempted lob landed safetly into the arms of McDonnell. Rogers was forced into a rare save to keep out a Webster header before Lyttle wasted the best chance of the game by scooping over from 5 yards. Yet Vics ought to have had a late penalty when Battersby was tripped in the box but the unpredictable referee produced another of a series of bizarre decions by booking Battersby for diving despite him having had his legs taken completely from under him. There was still time for a last nervous moment but Jones failed to find the target with a late strike leaving Vics to celebrate yet another victory.

Attend: 951
Man of the Match: Ben Chapman

Pete Wilson


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