Tigers out of FA Trophy

Published Date: 04 November 2008

By Ray Lucas

WORKSOP Town slipped out of the FA Trophy after going down to FC United of Manchester at Watnall Road on Saturday.

Despite some poor league form, the Tigers have saved some of their best performances for the cup games.

So it was with an air of confidence they faced FCUM.

Despite conceding an early penalty, they still looked capable of getting something out of the game. However, they conceded another goal early in the second half and that strike finished the game off as a contest.

On a wet and windy day the Tigers made just one change with Andy White returning following a three match suspension, Kirk Jackson dropping to the bench. New signing Chris Adam was pronounced fit and took a place on the bench.

The only chance in the early stages was an Andy Boyce header that flashed wide from a Gary Townsend corner.

But in their first real attack FCUM got a penalty when winger Adam Carden cut inside and, as Kevin Dawson went to tackle him, he was tripped and referee Mr Smith pointed to the spot.

The league's leading scorer Kyle Wilson took responsibility and sent Steve Hernandez the wrong way to open the scoring.

Steve Robinson then shot wide, Andy White picked up a yellow card for a rash tackle, and Paul Dempsey and FCUM skipper David Chadwick went in for a 50/50 ball that left both players injured.

Worksop were pushing forward for an equaliser. Matt Glass headed wide when he had time to control the ball, White was caught offside following a good move and Kevin Davies shot over the bar.

The best chance came just before half time following a foul by Chadwick on Kevin Sanasy.

Robinson's free-kick found Chris Glarvey's head just two yards out, but his effort hit Sam Ashton in the visitors' goal and was cleared to safety.

With the referee due to end the half, the visitors could have made it two but for some outstanding goalkeeping by Steve Hernandez.

Carlos Roca cut in from the left, his shot was pushed on to the post by Hernandez, who then threw himself in front of Wilson's follow-up.

The Tigers made the worst possible start to the second half as, within four minutes, they went two down.

Jerome Wright made a good run down the left, put in a fine cross that the home defence failed to clear, and Chadwick was on hand to nod the ball home.

Hernandez then made another good save from a Chadwick header before Sanasy was put in by Glass, only for the striker to fail in his attempt to beat the defender.

Then a high ball into the box by Glarvey was missed by Ashton, but White's effort was cleared off the line by Liam Foster.

Paul Stansfield came on for Robinson but he couldn't galvanise the team. Scott Lowe came on for Kevin Dawson, who was carried off with what looked a bad ankle injury, and Chris Adam made his debut in place of White.

Unfortunately these changes failed to make the impact Peter Rinkcavage desired and it was the visitors who scored on 68 minutes, thanks to some poor defending, when a ball over the top from Foster was collected by Wilson who went on to beat Hernandez for goal number three.

Townsend had a header go wide from a Paul Dempsey free-kick, but that was all the Tigers could muster before the final whistle.

Boyce picked up a yellow card and was lucky to stay on the pitch after another reckless tackle and Stansfield's frustration's also gained him a yellow.