Match Preview

City's Road to Wembley continues on Saturday afternoon when they face tough Midland Football League opposition in Lichfield City at Claines Lane, for a 3pm kick-off.

Lichfield are no strangers to City, having played each other on three occasions last season. The first was a 1-0 victory for City at Claines Lane in this very competition, before a 3-1 away defeat in league action. The sides met for the third and final time at Claines Lane towards the end of the campaign with the game ending 0-0.

This season, Lichfield currently occupy 3rd place in the Midland Football League, a huge improvement on their 11th place finish last season, looking fairly secure in the play-off places and with a game in hand on top spot. Should they win that game in hand, they will be just five points off top, still with 14 games to go.

Lichfield also boast the Midland League's top goalscorer in their ranks in Daniel Smith. Smith has an impressive record of a goal a game in the league, currently on 18 from 18 matches, but further impressive still is his overall record, with 25 goals in 23 games this season. Smith bagged himself a hat-trick in Lichfield's 5-1 win over AFC Wulfrunians last Saturday, but did receive a straight red card late on in the game, meaning that unless Lichfield appeal that sending off, that he will be missing for the trip to Claines on Saturday.

Lichfield were in action on Wednesday evening in the JW Hunt Cup, where they overcame Wednesfield 2-1 away from home. They've beaten Heather St John's, Alsager Town on penalties, Romulus, Newark & Sherwood United, and most recently Highgate United, to make it to the Fourth Round of this season's competition.

City, meanwhile, will be feeling fairly fresh following their midweek break after four matches in seven days from the end of December, and into 2024. The 3-1 away victory over Mangotsfield United on Saturday was their third straight victory, and seventh win in the last ten in all competitions. City still remain unbeaten in league and cup matches since mid-November.

Recently voted as the club's Player of the Month for December, Dylan Hart is in red hot form for Chris Cornes' side, with six goals in City's last six matches. Dylan seems to have really made the centre forward spot in the side his own in recent weeks, and it's equally impressive the amount of goal involvements he's had in that time, both in assists and his general link-up and hold-up play with those around him.

Kyle Belmonte is another who has maybe flown under the radar slightly due to the fact he's been consistently impressive since signing for the club. He has six goals in the last seven games himself, a run stretching back to early December, and City boss Cornes picked him out for praise in recent interviews with WCFC TV. Following the Roman Glass victory, Cornes spoke about how Kyle has carried the team through their tough recent schedule, and his numbers during that time in goals and assists show that.

After the last round of the competition was reversed to Boston Town following early December pitch issues, City Faithful will be looking forward to a home tie in the competition, and with a place in the last 16 on offer, will be sure to get behind the team.

Calvin Dinsley was an absentee from the Mangotsfield victory after coming off late in the match during the Roman Glass St George victory, but after a week of rest, supporters will be hopeful he is fit and ready to return to the squad. Jordan Lymn, however, deputised well for Calvin, and already looks like an excellent signing for Cornes' side.

Saturday’s Match is sponsored by Andy Loos. Andy Loos have been in the toilet hire business for almost 30 years and have provided services to events such as Glastonbury, the Cheltenham Festival, and right here at Claines Lane. Whether you’re looking to hire portable toilets or even shower facilities, Andy Loos provide a reliable service from their HQ in Hartlebury. We’d like to thank Andy Loos and the members of their team joining us for Saturday’s match for their support!

For this game we have THREE car parks available:

ON SITE AT THE GROUND: Cost is £5. There is limited parking at the ground which must be pre-booked via our online store here. If you have booked onsite parking you must arrive by 2.30pm.

RGS THE GRANGE, Grange Lane, Worcester WR3 7RR - This is a secure car park which is marshalled from 1pm-2.55pm. Cost is £2 per car payable in cash at the car park entrance. This car park is locked at 6.30pm

and THE RIVER SCHOOL, School Lane, Worcester WR3 7ST - This car park is open from 1pm and costs £3 per car payable in cash at the car park entrance. Please note that there is a steep bank leading to this car park.

Please do not park in any of the lanes around the ground. Anyone doing so will be refused entry.

All other Matchday Information including Disabled Parking, Match Entry Costs and Public Transport options are available via the Matchday Information section of our website here.