

Worcester City played out a lacklustre 0-0 draw at home to AFC Sudbury at Sixways in the Southern League Premier Central on Saturday.
City had the first clear-cut chance of the afternoon just a couple of minutes in when midweek starlet Charlie Lutz was played through on goal, only for his effort to be blocked by the visiting keeper.
On the five-minute mark, City played a ball into the area from a corner which was nodded onto the post as Worcester set the tempo in the early stages of the first half.
Seven minutes later, Brandon Smalley fired an effort from distance, but his shot flew just wide of the right post as the contest remained goalless.
With under fifteen minutes left in the half, there was mayhem in the Sudbury box as Connor Stanley fired a shot from close range, only to see it blocked by a defender. The play was recycled out to Josh Bailey, who crossed to Smalley at the back post, but his effort was pushed back into play by Jack Munson in the Sudbury goal after a fine save.
Following that passage of play, the visitors had their best chance of the afternoon when a ball into the box left a Sudbury player unmarked, but the opportunity went begging as the header drifted over the crossbar.
Ten minutes before half time, Jacob Goredema was brought down in the area and the visitors were awarded a penalty. Marcel Lewis, however, was unable to convert as his effort was saved by an outstretched Sam Kane to the keeper’s bottom right-hand side.
Sudbury had the ball in the net in first-half stoppage time as Lewis fired low into the far-left corner, but the effort was ruled out for offside, and the half ended 0-0.
City’s first effort of the second half came from Connor Stanley as the winger cut inside from the left and struck a low shot at the near post, which was gathered by the visiting keeper.
Worcester continued to dominate chances in the second half and looked the more likely to break the deadlock, with repeated corners putting pressure on the Sudbury defence.
With less than fifteen minutes remaining, City won another corner and, after an uncleared header, Charlie Wise was unable to convert the follow-up.
In the final five minutes of normal time, Sudbury launched a counterattack, but substitute Jack Stone was unable to beat Sam Kane.
With minutes remaining, City pushed for a late winner in search of a crucial three points.
Deep into added time, Sudbury delivered a free kick into the area, but Jack Stone’s connection could not take it past Kane.
That proved to be the final action of the match as the game ended goalless.
Worcester City continue league action next weekend with the short journey up the M5 to face Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday 21st February.
Match report by Harry Wilcox.