An Ethan Moore hat-trick sent Worcester City through to the first round of the FA Trophy as the home side did enough to see off a plucky Ramsbottom United.

Ethan Moore ended City’s four game goal drought as he slotted the home side ahead at the end of the first half, before pouncing on two second half mistakes to seal the win.

The Rams were full of confidence going into the tie having already claimed the scalps of Blyth Spartans and Worksop Town in the competition this season.

Both sides jostled for the upper-hand in a scrappy opening ten minutes but neither side could firmly establish themselves in the game. Niall Thompson opened the City attacking with a speculative drive from distance, seeing his shot rise harmlessly over Grant Shenton’s goal.

But the Evo-Stik Northern Division One side did not seem fazed by the occasion, threatening themselves minutes later, as Grant Spencer’s free kick was cleared to Gary Stopforth on the edge of the area, whose low drive was deflected wide.

Stopforth was then brought down by Richard Taundry on the edge of the City area on the twenty-minute mark. The left foot of Owen Roberts curled the central free kick just wide of the post.

City began to create more chances after the half hour mark. Ellis Deeney’s through ball behind the United back four set Nti clear, with the powerful forward unleashing a shot from the corner of the area that was tipped over the bar by Shenton.

Nti was denied again minutes later as Taundry’s through ball caused indecision by Billy Priestley, with Nti pouncing on the mistake, but failing to slot his shot around the advancing Shenton.

The home side continued to get the better of the chances as Ellis Deeney’s free kick from the left found a leaping Sam Smith, who couldn’t steer his header either side of the goalkeeper.

But City finally found a way past Shenton as Ethan Moore put the home side ahead just five minutes before half time. The pacey Niall Thompson broke through the middle of the pitch, threading a through ball to Ethan Moore, who slotted the ball past Shenton at the near post with a clinical finish sending the Blue and Whites into the break with a one goal advantage.

The visitors continued to fight after the restart but created little in the way of goal scoring opportunities. Owen Roberts cross found Lee Gaskell unmarked in the area, but the striker couldn’t connect fully with the cross, stretching to send his header away from the target.

Midway through the half the game was threatening to boil over after several strong challenges from both sides. City continued to play offensively, but Nti could only steer an Ethan Moore cross wide of the target with the goal gaping.

City threw on Danny Glover and Aaron Williams with twenty-five minutes remaining in the hopes to steal a crucial second goal.

And in the 67th minute Ethan Moore bagged his second goal of the game to give the Aggborough side breathing space. A long ball was hounded down by the striker, who challenged the advancing goalkeeper, stealing the ball and stroking it home into the vacant net.

Moore snatched his third goal with ten minutes remaining, pouncing on defensive indecision in the Rams ranks before slotting under Shenton, with his hat-trick enough to send City into the first round of the FA Trophy.

Manager Carl Heeley was pleased that his side managed to avoid a potential upset.

“I’m sure a few people turned up today expecting to see an upset. But the players have got some character and they’ve done a professional job”, said Heeley.

Hat-trick hero Ethan Moore, who has found a place in the starting eleven difficult to come by this season, said “it was nice to get a start and get three goals to show the gaffa what I can do.”

City Travel to Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday hoping to end their league goal drought spanning more than five games.

Report by Alex Harris

Attendance 341