THE REALISATION that Worcester City could find themselves in a relegation battle set in on Saturday (November 2) after they were edged out 1-0 at home to North Ferriby United.
Ryan Kendall’s finish condemned Carl Heeley’s men to their sixth league defeat of the season, leaving only Oxford City, who have a game in hand, below them in the Skrill Conference North.
Strong winds meant at times the game was almost unplayable at Aggborough, where an injury-ravished City squad failed to find the net in their fourth successive league game.
The hosts started the game without attacking trio Danny Glover, Niall Thompson and Daniel Nti, who all had knocks, with the latter not even fit enough to make the bench, but recent signing Immanuel Parry came into the defence to make his debut.
The adverse weather conditions diminished the quality of play early on, but Ethan Moore almost put the hosts ahead before the ten minute mark, only for a last ditch tackle to prevent a clean strike at goal.
The promotion hopefuls settled mid-way through the first half and Jose Veiga was twice called into action to deny striker Anthony Wilson, firstly smothering the ball at his feet before brilliantly reacting to a close range header.
Just before half time Moore again threatened the Ferriby defence, his attack set up Reece Hales, who nudged it round keeper Adam Nicklin before a superb Paul Robson tackle denied a certain goal.
The visitors made a strong start to the second half, with Jamie Yates’s curling effort striking the right hand post, before substitute Thompson almost put Worcester ahead, but his effort was denied by Nicklin.
Just short of the hour mark North Ferriby broke the deadlock, Liam King picked out Kendall in the box, and his effort struck the post before finding the back of the net.
The game opened up slightly towards the end but, despite a valiant effort by City, the visitors held on for an important three points that leaves them in second place, one point behind Hednesford Town.
City will be hoping for another good cup run and have been drawn at home to Ramsbottom United in the Third Qualifying Round of The FA Trophy, provisionally on Saturday, November 16.
The winners of the tie will receive £4,000 from the FA Prize Fund.
