Worcester City secured a vital 3-1 win over fellow local side Redditch United at Sixways on Easter Monday afternoon as both teams continue the hunt for the play-offs.

The opening few minutes were well balanced between the two sides. However, on the ten-minute mark, Morgan Owen cannoned a shot into the top corner for the visitors from a corner kick as Redditch went a goal up.

Having applied pressure to the Redditch defence since the early goal, City’s efforts were rewarded just shy of the half-hour mark when a handball from a corner gave Worcester a chance from the spot. Forward Charlie Lutz was on hand to take and convert the penalty as City found a leveller.

With the contest approaching the interval, City looked to push for a second and take the lead after some well-worked play along the touchline.

Redditch almost regained the lead close to half time when a driven ball into the area by Robbie Bunn found the feet of Alex Cameron, but goalkeeper Sam Kane produced a reflex save with his foot to clear the ball for a corner.

Kane’s intervention was the final action of the half as the first 45 minutes came to a close with the score at 1-1.

The first fifteen minutes of the second half were quite uneventful, with the only major chance coming when wide player Cameron Wilson nipped the ball around the keeper, but the tight angle meant his effort was cleared off the line.

City again came close to taking the lead when a free kick was floated into the area and flicked on by a defender, striking the post as Worcester continued to push forward.

Five minutes later, their efforts were rewarded courtesy of a Redditch own goal. A long throw was flicked on and clipped off a Redditch knee and into the net, giving City a well-deserved lead.

With under ten minutes remaining, City looked to all but secure the three points when last week’s hero Brandon Smalley found the ball at his feet outside the area and fired into the bottom corner as City looked to complete the double over the visitors.

As the match entered added time, Redditch looked to threaten, but the City defence managed to hold firm and the match ended with a 3-1 win and maximum points.

Worcester City will continue league action on Saturday with a trip to Kettering Town at Latimer Park in the Southern League Premier Central.

Match report by Harry Wilcox.
Photo Credit: J Pugh