On the back of City’s best result of the season, convincingly brushing aside Telford in the F.A trophy, the fans would have been hoping to carry such form into the league. Instead, City were to produce a performance of stark contrast to their previous few games.

Oxford City came into the game sat just above Worcester in The Skrill North. They did not shy away from the opportunity to extend that gap to five points. Oxford were quick out the traps, whilst City seemed unable to string together a meaningful attack.

Oxford utilised striker Marvin Robinson’s strength well, as he became the focal point of their far superior attacking play.

Despite their early dominance, the away sides opening goal on 17 minutes, relied on a degree of fortune. Tom Winters strike would probably have slid wide of Jose Veiga’s right post, but a heavy deflection off Matt Regan saw the ball find the net.

The goal only seemed to increase Oxfords authority. Worcester looked stretched from every set piece they were forced to defend. Ellis Deeney cleared Darren Pond’s effort off the line, before Veiga reacted well to deny his second attempt.

Five minutes after the first goal, Oxford doubled their tally. Worcester once again struggled to deal with the aerial balls into the box. Veiga was crowed out as he attempted to claim the ball, leaving Marvin Robinson with an easy finish.

Danny Glover ended the half with a rare Worcester break. He made up the yards on the left flank and crossed into a dangerous area, yet there was no blue shirts present, to get on the end of the pass. The first half ended with Worcester managing just the two shots, neither of which were on target.

Heeley looked to force a change in City’s fortune making a double change at half time. Niall Thompson came on to replace Dominic Dell, whilst Steven Leslie replaced Aaron Williams.

City had a little more urgency in the opening exchanges of the second period. George Williams did well to fend off the tackles, as he fronted an attack, cutting inside to tee up Leslie. His shot was then hit with some venom, but was wide of the mark.

Worcester were unable to build on any of the marginally better football they showed glimpses of. Oxford were firmly back in control of the match with little of the second half played out.

Graham Hutchinson took a blow from a block tackle, as he looked to clear, he was unable to continue and with City short of defensive cover Ebby Nelson- Addy replaced his skipper just before the hour mark.

Ellis Deeney was forced to fill in at centre back and Oxford immediately looked to punish City’s makeshift defence. They almost seemed to walk the ball through the Worcester half, as Robinson had time, space and options, but made a hash of his effort when he really should have made it 3.

The second half continued in much the same vain as the first. Oxford were composed with the ball and continued to look a threat.

The only Worcester chance of note came with a few minutes left on the clock. Niall Thompson did well in the corner to beat two Oxford defenders. His shot was then driven in low at Mark Scott’s near post, where he pushed it behind for a corner.

City would be happy to see the back of the game as the final whistle blew, a thoroughly disappointing afternoon at Aggborough.

Post-match Carl Heeley was understandably disappointed with his team’s efforts:

“It’s incredibly frustrating; we’ve seen the good and the bad of Worcester City in the last five days.
We were second best all over the park. If I’m totally honest I think losing 2-0 flattered us today, but we have to dust ourselves down and move on to the Aldershot game”

Match Highlights are available via The WCFCTV

Report by Kelly Holliday