Worcester City FC - Hellenic League Premier Champions 2023/24

Chris Knight's first half strike was enough to secure Worcester City's first league title in almost 45 years on Tuesday evening, with the 1-0 win over Thornbury Town getting Chris Cornes' side over the line and securing their place in the club's history books, still with a potential two trophies left to play for this season.

A league title felt so far away just twelve months ago, when the club had edged close to relegation from the Midland Football League with step five safety secured with a few games left to spare in the season. But the transformation of the club in the time since has been remarkable with Chris, his coaching staff, and the players achieving remarkable things so far this season.

Congratulations to Chris, his coaching staff, the players, and our Board of Directors and incredible group of volunteers, all who have contributed to the club winning the league this season.

Ahead of the match, the boss made three changes to his starting line-up from the weekend FA Vase Semi Final First Leg win over Great Wakering Rovers. Chris Knight and captain Adam Mace returned to their usual positions of centre half and left back, with Kirk Layton starting the match from the bench. Calvin Dinsley returned after missing the last few fixtures with an injury, and Liam Lockett was absent from the matchday squad, replaced by Elliott Hartley in the starting line-up. Dylan Hart also led the line with Kyonn Evans dropping to the bench.

On what was a cold and damp April evening, where the rolling hills of Thornbury's pitch probably didn't help matters, it was a cagey start to the game. City skipper Mace and the hosts' Wormwell both received yellow cards in a scrappy opening fifteen minutes, one where City controlled the game but didn't create many meaningful chances.

City really clicked into gear from the twenty minute mark and Elliott Hartley jinked his way into the opposition area, firing an effort towards goal that was blocked well by a Thornbury defender. Dylan Hart then flicked on a Mace free kick towards goal but could only watch his effort trickle wide, before finding himself on the end of a flick on himself, but dragged a left-footed effort wide of the goal.

The breakthrough and only goal of the game came on 35 minutes. Thornbury keeper Clark could only punch a ball into the box, and Chris Knight found himself unmarked in the penalty area. First time, he fired a half volley low, past Clark and into the back of the hosts' net, scoring his first goal for the club in the process, and what an occasion to get it on. The 500-odd Worcester fans in the ground went berserk as it seemed the league title was edging ever closer.

Into the second half and it was again Knight who had City's best opportunity of the early exchanges, seeing an effort cleared off the line by a resolute home defence. Belmonte saw an effort fly over the bar from a first time strike, as City searched for a second goal to kill the game.

Thornbury themselves created opportunities too, a header from a corner whistling past Whitcombe's top corner, before Knight again at the other end saw his own header from a corner cleared off the line yet again.

In what turned out to be a professional performance on a difficult pitch, City held out for the win which would secure the Hellenic League Premier title for 2023/24. The Faithful in attendance burst onto the pitch following the final whistle to celebrate with the players, with incredible scenes that will live long in the memory for those in attendance.

With no time to dwell on the result and achievement though, attentions turn to another league fixture with Hereford Lads Club on Thursday, before Saturday's huge FA Vase Semi Final, Second Leg trip to Great Wakering Rovers, as the team look to cap off the season with a trip to Wembley.