Worcester City retained their Worcestershire FA Senior Invitational Cup title after a 5-4 penalty shootout win against Redditch United at Evesham United’s Spiers & Hartwell Stadium on Tuesday night, following a goalless draw in normal time.

It was a lively start in the Cup Final as opponents Redditch United got on the front foot early, forcing keeper Sam Kane into some important saves.

City had their first chance of the game fifteen minutes in when a well-timed cross into the area was headed inches wide by winger Harry Burns, as Worcester looked to get a foothold in the game.

Very few chances followed, with both teams struggling to take control as the half progressed.

Worcester did get another chance with five minutes left in the half as Liam Lockett’s deflected cross fell to Luke Rowe, but his shot was caught by the Redditch goalkeeper Warmington.

Very little occurred for either side as the referee brought the first half of the Cup Final to a close with the score at 0-0.

As the second half commenced, City had an early chance when striker Zac Guinan was played in on goal, but his effort was saved, with Worcester winning a corner in the process.

Redditch had the momentum during the second half, with only some trickery from Liam Lockett providing Worcester’s best attacking threat. Things didn’t get better for City when substitute Musa Ceesay received his marching orders after a second booking with over twenty minutes to play.

With seven minutes of added time, both teams looked to snatch a late winner, with the visitors still controlling the tempo of the match.

As the tie entered the final minute of injury time, both teams became involved in a coming together following exchanges in the dugouts, with two City coaching staff shown red cards by the referee. The match then concluded at 0-0, with penalties to decide the outcome.

It was joy for City, who won the shootout 5-4 on penalties after Charlie Lutz, Connor Stanley, Josh Bailey, Zac Guinan and Luke Rowe all converted their spot kicks, with Sam Kane making a vital save as Worcester retained the cup.

Worcester City will be back in action for their final game of the season on Saturday when they host Spalding United at Sixways in the Southern League Premier Central.

Match report by Harry Willcox.