Close contest decided in second quarter

There were plenty of positives for City to take from this closely-fought and competitive contest which was a massive improvement on the team's first JPL Cup outing last week.

The scoreline was probably a little harsh on the home side, who battled throughout and produced a performance that certainly warranted at least a goal or two.

Honours were even in the first quarter as the visitors had a couple of half-chances whilst good link up play between Jamie Neath and Will Cottell saw the latter shoot wide of the right hand post.

However the game turned in the second quarter when Gloucester hit three goals in quick succession. The first came when their striker latched onto a ball over the top, galloped clear and coolly finished and this was followed by a penalty after the hosts were penalised for handball.

The third was another delightful finish by the striker who with his back to goal, spun and stroked into the corner although City will be disappointed that the cross into the box wasn't prevented.

Both sides had chances in Q3 but it was Gloucester that scored again as their striker completed his hat-trick with a shot that went in off the post.

Worcester continued to compete and the Gloucester keeper pulled off an outstanding save to thwart Cottell only for a penalty to be conceded in the resulting scramble for a foul on Harry Ineson. Cottell's kick sent the keeper the wrong way but cruelly bounced off the upright.

As the game became stretched, Gloucester were foiled on two occasions by a combination of goal-line clearances by centre halves Alex Fenn and Matthew Band and excellent blocks by City keeper Christian Carter whilst, at the other end, the home side tested the visitors' back line but just didn't get the breaks that their pressure warranted - the last chance falling to Neath, whose tireless performance deserved a goal, but he shot over after running clear.

A closer game than the pre-season fixture between the two sides and, for Worcester, a much-improved display for the squad to build on in their upcoming matches.