Worcester City were defeated on penalties by Alvechurch after a goalless draw in the First Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy at Lye Meadow on Saturday.

As has been a common theme in recent games, City again got off to the more positive start. Early efforts almost paid off when a floated pass into the Alvechurch box was met by Nathan Hayward, but his header was narrowly over the bar.

On the half-hour mark, the hosts came close to taking the lead following some link-up play on the edge of the area. Harley Hamilton was played in and placed his shot agonisingly close to the far corner as Alvechurch began to work their way into the match.

Worcester had a great chance to take the lead not long after through Dan Sweeney. A threaded ball from the back allowed Sweeney to break away, but his shot was well saved by an outstretched Redman Evans in the Alvechurch net.

City had another flurry of chances when a ball into the box from Kyle Belmonte was met by winger Liam Lockett, whose effort was once again kept out by Evans in goal.

After a quiet end to the first half, both sides went into the break with the game goalless.

In blustery conditions, both sides struggled to find rhythm after the restart. The closest either came to breaking the deadlock was a free kick from Belmonte just outside the area, but after some pinballing in the box, the chance came to nothing.

Tempers began to rise at Lye Meadow after some strong tackles from both teams, creating what looked to be a tense ending with twenty minutes remaining.

With just over ten minutes to play, City came within millimetres of taking the lead when a low driven cross from Josh Bailey was met by Zac Guinan, but his effort was blocked bravely by the Alvechurch keeper.

Despite the hosts having more of the ball in the closing stages, neither side could find a breakthrough, and like the previous round for City, penalties were needed to decide who would progress to the Second Round Proper.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be for City, as misses from Felix Miles and Dan Sweeney meant it was Alvechurch who advanced to the next round of the Isuzu FA Trophy.

City will now return to league action this weekend with a trip to AFC Sudbury in the Southern Premier Division Central on Saturday, 1st November.

Match Report by Harry Wilcox.