An impressive and dominant first-half performance paved the way for City's first win of the season as they returned from Hereford with an impressive 3-2 victory.

After nearly conceding within seconds of the first whistle, City were awoken to produce a display that was full of endeavour and creativity that engineered a hatful of chances.

The first resulted in a goal as Billy Owen swivelled to hit a delightful left-foot shot into the bottom corner following good combination play down the right wing by Will Cottell and Harry Rebbeck. The latter two players combined again shortly afterwards after an excellent Guy Collett through ball only for Rebbeck to shoot wide.

Following that let-off, the home side proceeded to go up the pitch and equalise following a ball through their left channel which their player lifted neatly into the net.

However City weren't behind for long. Their excellent pressing and harrying of Hereford resulted in Owen pinching the ball off a defender and getting off a shot which their keeper could only parry into the path of Jamie Neath to stroke home.

After Christian Carter saved low at his near post from a free kick, Cottell had two decent efforts - both of which rolled narrowly wide - before City deservedly extended their lead.

With skipper Cian Sheehan and Collett working tirelessly in midfield, the latter hit a lofted pass for Rebbeck, who outsprinted his defender, lifted over the advancing keeper and tapped into the open goal.

Collett then nearly created an audacious goal as his pinpoint 30-yard free-kick was volleyed inches wide by Owen, who capped a great first-half showing with another close effort before the half-time whistle.

The interval provided some respite for Hereford, who nearly began the second period as they did the first with a goal - only to be thwarted by an excellent low save from Carter.

The home side, whose set pieces were dangerous throughout, went close from a corner as City were saved by the bar.

Despite Hereford pressure, Worcester remained resilient with Oli Sheahan a rock in central defence and continued to create chances of their own as Kellen Moran produced a tidy turn and shot which the home keeper clutched under the bar and then Neath fired over after good inter-play between Moran and Harry Ineson down the right.

Hereford did eventually get a goal back and they went close again from another corner as Matt Band was forced to head off the line.

That was to be their final chance as City got the result that their hard work on a warm morning deserved.

Their three JPL Cup performances have certainly shown improvements week-by-week as teamwork, communication and confidence gets better. Stourbridge romped the group after putting 10 goals past the others - although City were the only side to score against them - but there wasn't much between the rest of the teams. Indeed City might have grabbed second place in the group if it wasn't for a poor second quarter against Gloucester City.

Still a heartening end to the cup fixtures and plenty of positives to build on for the start of their JPL league campaign next week.

Worcester City FC

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