Top sides draw blank
For most teams there is nothing sweeter than the gleeful pride that can be taken from beating your closest rivals on the open field. Such satisfaction was denied to both sides on Friday as the two heavyweights fought out a 0-0 draw, but the Worcester captain can draw solace from a result that could be decisive at the close of the campaign.
At the start all the signs were that Keble were on course to emulate the level of performance that saw them crush Worcester earlier in the season. A clever pass from Roylance found Richard Booth whose cultured reverse stick was saved by the Worcester Goalie and a free kick whistled wide. Booth was at the heart of Keble's play, nimbly spreading passes and running confidently at the Worcester defence. More neat exchanges with Roylance saw him whip in a cross that was narrowly missed by the inrushing Bannister. This roused Worcester from their slumbers and only heroic goal-line clearances first from Alex Chandra and later from James Kenny preserved parity. The Worcester forwards began to stir into life, and a tricky run saw a shot fly just wide. The game became chaotically open, a Chris Sibley edge hitting the post for Keble and Worcester's centre back shot wide after a rare foray forward.
Keble captain Oliver exhorted his players to maintain the same level of performance in the 2nd half which started where the first had left off with a dangerous run of the Worcester forward thwarted by goalkeeper Oliver and Chris Sibley forcing similar exertions from the Worcester stopper.
Keble, having to rely on inspiring midfield play as excellent defending had subdued the normally effervescent Bannister then began to loose the coherence that had characterised their early play and Worcester became cripplingly dependent on sweetly struck long balls from the back. The excitement had to wait until the frenzied last minutes, as Worcester shot across the face of goal, had a goal ruled out legitimately and hit the post while the enterprising booth first shot wide and then had an effort smothered for Keble.
Consternation was etched on the face of Oliver at the final whistle but both league and cup competitions are still to play for and Worcester celebrations may be premature.
19th Feb 2004