Spitfires finish season in 11th following Worcester defeat

WORCESTER v EASTLEIGH


SATURDAY 24th APRIL 2010
Blue Square South

Report by Ray Murphy

This was an end of season game that had everything on it for Worcester City and nothing in reality for Eastleigh. Worcester City had to win and hope that fellow strugglers Lewes lost for them to avoid relegation. Eastleigh themselves with no positioning to play for were without the suspended Jason Matthews, Tom Jordan and Tony Taggart whilst Jamie Brown, Andy Forbes and Aaron Cook were all absent through injury.

It started brightly for Eastleigh. Brett Poate's pass into the path of Richard Gillespie in the penalty area saw Worcester goalkeeper Jake Meredith off his line but he caught Gillespie and referee Brett Huxtable awarded a penalty. Gillespie recovered from the clash to convert the penalty.

Five minutes later and the scorers all round were equal. Worcester's Matt Birley was adjudged to have been fouled by Ross Bottomley and the second penalty of the game was awarded. This time Marco Adaggio struck home the penalty despite a fine attempt to stop by Fred Toomer.

There were few chances in the first half with the tension obviously affecting the home side whilst Eastleigh struggled to find any rhythm on a rock hard pitch. Sam Butler had a long-range effort saved by Meredith on twelve minutes. On thirty-three minutes Gillespie had a header from a Butler cross-saved by Meredith.

Worcester City went ahead on forty-three minutes. Jamie Price’s free kick from the right was firmly headed home by Worcester captain Mark Clyde.

Ex-Chesham United defender James Donnelly took to the field at half time to replace the injured midfielder Joe Collins that saw Bottomley move into a midfield role. It was still that Worcester looked the more likely to gain the victory they needed. Lewes at half time being held 0-0.

On fifty-eight minutes Meredith’s long kick was miscued by Ashley Nicholls which allowed a chance for Adaggio with only Toomer to beat but the young keeper stood strong and saved the effort. Three minutes later another long ball from the Worcester defence saw Craig Wilding collect the ball but then fired across the face of goal.

On sixty-nine minutes a dipping shot from Price was just off target. Worcester though did add their third goal on seventy-five minutes. A lofted ball into the area by Wilding saw Rob Elvins out jump Toomer and head home to give Worcester a two-goal advantage.

Eastleigh had a chance a minute later when Gillespie’s cross field ball was left by Poate, which allowed Butler a shot that was saved by Meredith. Then, with eight minutes remaining Worcester scored their fourth and final goal of the match. Elvins timed his run to beat an offside flag then lofted the ball over Toomer and into the net.

Unfortunately for the home side Lewes won their game also which meant that Worcester finish in the relegation places and now their fate is to be destined by matters of other clubs but not on the football pitch.