'What a wonderful, wonderful day for Worcester'

Monday 10 Nov 2014
Worcester City manager Carl Heeley, second right, celebrates victory

Worcester City manager Carl Heeley said his side's FA Cup giantkilling capped off a perfect week after the birth of his third daughter Mia on Tuesday.

Despite competing three divisions below Coventry – and facing them on their own patch at the Ricoh Arena – Conference North side Worcester booked their place in tonight's Second Round draw with a 2-1 victory on Sunday.

Coventry 1-2 Worcester 

FA Cup First Round Proper
Sunday 9 November 2014
Winning sides receive £18,000
Second Round draw live on BBC Two, 7pm Monday

Heeley told the BBC: “I've been at this club for 20 years and it has been an honour to captain the club, be assistant manager and now manager.”

“It's the proudest day of my football career and to finish the week off with what's happened with the birth of my third daughter it's fabulous, I'm struggling for words.

“I'm delighted for all of the players, all the staff, all of those fabulous supporters today who were incredible. What a wonderful, wonderful day for the club.”

A goal in each half from Sean Geddes was enough for Worcester to dump out their opponents from League One, who had goalkeeper Lee Burge sent off for violent conduct.

Coventry keeper Lee Burge is sent off

Coventry keeper Lee Burge is sent off

But Worcester had to hold on for dear life after Reda Johnson pulled one back for Coventry in the 81st minute.

Heeley added: “When we got into the seven minutes of injury time, that was the longest seven minutes of my life.

“I don't want to be disrespectful to Coventry City but we genuinely thought we could here and get a result.

“That's nine games unbeaten, we're playing well, we've got some good footballers and some incredibly fit boys.

Worcester City

Worcester City's two-goal hero Sean Geddes

“We took the game to Coventry and were the better side. I know how difficult it is when you're that team expected to win – it's a difficult one.

“It's very difficult for a non-League club to get to the First Round so when you get here you don't want to let the moment pass you by.

"Fortunately for our boys have taken on the messages that we've been drilling into them since the draw. 

"And there is your result today – those boys are going home as proud men.

“Today we have achieved one of the biggest results in this club's proud, proud history. That's an absolute honour.”

By FA Staff