Worcester City started 2026 with fireworks after a comprehensive 4-1 win over Redditch United in the Southern League Premier Central on Saturday afternoon at The Valley.

The opening five minutes were well balanced between both sides, but it was City who created the first attacking threat of the contest. Neat footwork from Nathan Hayward looked to open up an opportunity, but the hosts’ defence managed to avert the danger.

Worcester again came close to breaking the Redditch defence when hosts goalkeeper Tyrese Warmington was forced into an acrobatic save to deny Charlie Lutz from opening the scoring.

The resulting corner did not fail to excite, as a melee in the box allowed a header on goal to be cleared off the line, keeping the score at 0-0.

Eighteen minutes in, Dan Sweeney found space on the left-hand side of the area and looked to curl a cross into the box, but his effort flew past the post as the encounter remained goalless.

City continued to push and again came close to breaking the deadlock when winger Harry Burns fired a shot from distance that narrowly missed the post, as Worcester dominated possession and chances in the first half.

On the half-hour mark, City did break the deadlock when Nathan Hayward capitalised on a Redditch error and chipped the goalkeeper to give Worcester a well-deserved lead.

Five minutes later, City doubled their advantage when a drilled ball from Dan Sweeney was met by Charlie Lutz, putting Worcester 2-0 up just ten minutes before the break.

Redditch pulled a goal back just before half-time, as Omari Brown poked the ball into the net following a United corner, sending City into the interval with a 2-1 lead.

Just a few minutes after the restart, Redditch were awarded a penalty, but Harley Price saved the spot kick from Reece Flanagan to preserve City’s slender advantage.

Worcester capitalised on the penalty save shortly afterwards when Dan Sweeney struck the ball into the bottom corner, restoring City’s two-goal cushion.

Sweeney then came close to scoring his second and City’s fourth when he was played through on goal, but the experienced forward rushed his effort and fired straight at the Redditch goalkeeper.

City did eventually add a fourth when Nathan Hayward stabbed the ball home from a corner, putting Worcester 4-1 ahead as they looked to cruise back into winning form.

With 15 minutes remaining, Redditch pushed for what would undoubtedly have been a consolation goal, but City’s defence held firm during what was largely one-way traffic in the second half.

As the game reached its conclusion, Redditch continued to search for a late goal, but Worcester stood strong to see out a convincing 4-1 victory.

Worcester City return to league action on Saturday 10th January when Banbury United visit Sixways, as both sides look to improve on the 1-1 draw when they last met back in August.

Match report by Harry Wilcox.