Oxford
City snatched a draw with the last kick of a match in which all the
action was saved for the final few minutes. The draw leaves City just
outside the play-off positions in sixth and unbeaten in their last
three games. Their guests arrived at Court Place Farm unbeaten so far
this season and in fourth pace in the table – another formidable
test for Mike Ford's side.
The
first half was a cagey affair, with neither side able to apply any
pressure or fashion a chance. City attempted to pass it around with
little success, giving the ball away cheaply with alarming frequency.
The most interesting aspect of the half was the personal battle which
evolved between City's Kynan Isaac and Worcester's Tyler Weir, the
City defender winding up his opponent with a series of niggly fouls
which eventually spilled over into outright aggression as the teams
were leaving the field at half time.
Oxford
and Worcester traded shots towards the end of the first half, some
good work from City's Felipe Barcelos forcing Worcester 'keeper Glyn
Thompson to save low to his left, before Worcester themselves went
close from a free kick.
The
match really came alive in the second half. Oxford City started the
brighter of the two teams as the heavens opened, but it was Worcester
who took the lead ten minutes after the break. Mike Symonds beat the
offside trap and slotted coolly past Warren Carter in the City goal,
before running to celebrate with the travelling Worcester fans. It
was tough luck for City in what had up to that point been a fairly
even match, but the goal stung them into action and they
pressed forward with greater urgency for the rest of the match.
City
thought they had equalised when Andy Gunn rose to meet a lofted
corner, but the ball was cleared from the line amidst a tangle of
legs in the penalty area. They continued to pile on the pressure, but
the clock kept ticking towards 90 minutes. The travelling Worcester
support – by now in jubilant mood – decided to play keep-ball
when the ball went out for a goal kick and City appeared to be
heading for their second home defeat.
But
on 89 minutes substitute Albi Skendi popped up with a goal which
appeared to rescue a point for the hoops. Worcester failed to deal
with a ball into the six-yard box and after a prolonged game of
header tennis the ball eventually fell to Skendi who volleyed into
the bottom corner. At this point Mike Ford was shouting to his
players to keep their heads and see the game out, but immediately
from the kick-off City had conceded a free kick on the edge of the
area. Tom Thorley stepped up to take the kick for Worcester, curling
the ball beautifully past the wall to nestle into the net via the
inside of the post.
The
game appeared to be up for City, but no one seemed to have told
former United youngster Declan Benjamin. With the last kick of the
match he latched onto an inch-perfect through ball which cut through
the heart of the Worcester City defence and with tremendous calmness
guided the ball past the Worcester goalkeeper to salvage a point for
Oxford City right at the death.
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