Edgy Worcester Sneak Past Queen's
22nd November 2008 12:58 | by James KellyQueen's College 1st 0-1 Worcester College 1st
A spirited display from Queen’s in this David v Goliath clash kept the score-line to 1-0 in a game which could have easily been taken past 90 minutes. Although Worcester monopolised possession for the majority of the game, few clear cut chances were created, and Blues strikers Toogood and de Walden were well marshalled by Queen’s centre-backs Olds and Bottomley. The goal itself was a sloppy one to concede, a corner was initially dealt with by Kelly, but his header could only find the feet of Worcester winger Oli Gee, who was given far too much space and time, before drilling a shot past Billingham at the near post. Although Queen’s rarely threatened through open play, and indeed were content to defend heroically, they did look dangerous through set-pieces, and they were unfortunate not to draw level when Olds, Ferguson and Enoch were all left ruing their indecision as Kelly’s free-kick somehow managed to evade everyone. Worcester meanwhile were struggling to create chances as well, and despite the best efforts of Weston in midfield who was regularly switching the play from wing to wing, the final ball was never quite good enough.
During the second-half however Worcester began to carve out more chances, de Walden regularly connecting to crosses and corners, but also regularly not finding the target, as the Queen’s defence began to tire. Worcester were unfortunate not to double their lead when a slip from the Queen’s defence enable Toogood the opportunity to shoot from 20 yards, and his shot was fumbled by Billingham onto the post, before the ‘keeper gratefully snatched the ball. However Queen’s continued to fight, and roared on by a hostile home crowd, they began to look as if they might do the unthinkable and actually score. A series of Rory Delap throw-ins brought a few half chances, Ferguson seeing his volley blocked for a corner, and Bottomley unfortunate not to connect with a Kelly corner. Worcester were beginning to worry, and were extremely grateful to ‘keeper Robinson, when a mazy run from Edmiston, in which he skipped passed numerous defenders (or possibly just two) culminated in a powerful left-footed shot across the goal. Robinson was equal to it, and brought back memories of the glory years, as he tipped the ball round the post with an outstretched left hand to keep Worcester ahead. Queen’s had one final chance, after a dubious free-kick was awarded 35 yards from goal. The free-kick looked destined for Enoch’s head, but centre-back Sinnett was on-hand to flick it out for a corner, and with that being the final touch of the game, gave Worcester a victory was probably deserved.
