Football
City boss frustrated by lack of cutting edge

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WORCESTER City boss Carl Heeley was left frustrated at his side's lack of cutting edge as they slipped to a fourth straight league defeat at home to Colwyn Bay.

Rob Hopley's first half strike condemned City to only their second defeat of the season at St George's Lane as the home side lost more ground on the play-off chasing pack.

City looked completely out of sorts as an attacking force with Mike Symons cutting an isolated figure up front as Worcester struggled to retain possession and support their hard-working top scorer.

Heeley said: "I thought defensively we were much better but I'm very, very disappointed with us going forward and in the last third we have struggled to create chances and that's really surprised all of us.

"There was a bobbly surface, which probably doesn't suit us, but we have to adapt our game. It was one of those days where a sloppy goal was going to win it and it has dropped to them. Neither side looked like creating another chance after the goal which was very surprising."

Heeley refused to blame his side's formation for the defeat, insisting his players needed to take responsibility for not being able to open up Colwyn's backline.

"Formations are an excuse," he said.

"Symo (Symons) wasn't playing up front on his own, he has got Matt Birley and Danny Edwards supporting him. They were told when we have possession to go and join in, they are the front three, and when we haven't they drop back and make it a five."

"Formations are not the reason we haven't created chances. It's individuals being brave, getting on the ball, making decisions - that's how I see it."

There was some encouragement for City with veteran defender Simon Whitehead putting in a solid debut at the heart of Worcester's defence.

But City could be without keeper James Dormand for a few weeks after he pulled his calf muscle while taking a goal kick and had to be replaced by Matt Sargeant.

"Jimmy has pulled his calf when he kicked it," he said.

"It's a blow but Matt Sargeant has trained ever so well. He'd only played one game and this was his second appearance. We were maybe looking at a short term loan just to get some games under Matt's belt and then maybe register another keeper."

"But I've said to him sometimes you just have to be patient and he'll get his opportunity - he deserves that."

"Hopefully Jimmy's injury is not serious and he won't be out for too long."