Day winner seals Marsh Cup Progress

Youngster Reece Day's first senior goal for Worcester City saw Chris Cornes' side progress past a spirited Cinderford Town on Tuesday evening at Claines Lane, winning 4-3 on the night.

The local lad was introduced in the second half and could have scored shortly before his goal with a brilliant effort that hit the crossbar, but got his goal as the time ticked into stoppage time to secure City progressed into the next round of the Marsh Challenge Cup.

Chris Cornes rotated his starting line-up with the FA Vase clash against Boston Town coming up this weekend, and a busy December schedule looming on the horizon. Joe Stockton was handed the number one jersey with Haydn Whitcombe given a rare evening off, whilst Lorcan Sheehan also stepped into the back four in place of Saturday's skipper Elliott Keightley, who was on the bench. Adam Mace also returned following his suspension on Saturday, with James Batchelor also earning himself a starting place after a bright performance when coming off the bench versus Slimbridge. He started off on the right, with Lockett in his usual spot on the left of the front three, and with Jamie Insall leading the line.

Another interesting alteration in the starting line-up was the slight change in midfield. Eagle-eyed City supporters will have noticed Calvin Dinsley wearing the number four shirt, with Connor Gater in the eight position, a sight tactical tweak from the usual set-up in the heart of City's midfield.

Ahead of kick-off, both teams gathered in the centre circle for a minutes' silence in support of Cinderford club physio Paul Meek after the sudden passing of his son. Our sincere condolences to Paul and the thoughts of everyone at the club are with him and his family at such a difficult time.

It was City who started the brighter, wearing a change of strip in the turquoise third shirt for the evening, Batchelor proving to be a real nuisance early on with a number of runs in behind being tracked by the Cinderford defence. Belmonte went close with a good effort just after the half hour mark which was saved well by keeper Smallcombe, but the breakthrough came on 41 minutes, Jamie Insall with a smart finish to put City up at the break.

After the break, it seemed as though it might be another routine win for City as Liam Lockett doubled the home side's lead on 55 minutes with a smart finish. Cinderford had other ideas, however, and a double from midfielder Jack Fox in just four minutes, on 59 and 63, drew the sides level.

Just minutes after the equaliser, though, City were ahead again. Liam Lockett was brought down in the box under pressure from Ben Vine, and Belmonte made no mistake from the spot, confidently dispatching into the bottom corner.

The game would take another turn though when Cinderford were this time awarded a penalty on 72 minutes. Joe Stockton brought down Cinderford forward Norman to give Fox the opportunity to seal his hat-trick and Cinderford's third for the evening, which he made no mistake of.

With the game looking as though it might head to penalties, Reece Day was the hero on the night, notching at the back post following a save from Smallcombe, to see City progress into the next round.

Next up for City is a home tie with Boston Town in the FA Vase, again at Claines Lane on Saturday afternoon, a 3pm kick-off.