WFA Cup progress for Worcester City U15s

City signed off 2020 in style as they recorded a confident and comfortable win at Welland Junior Lions in the WFA Saturday Cup.

Testing a new formation, City were swiftly out the blocks and a quick throw-in created an early opportunity for Will Cottell, whose shot was tipped onto the bar by the Lions keeper - not the first decent save that he was to make as the game unfolded.

However the visitors didn't have to wait too long to open the scoring as their patient passing and probing created a crossing opportunity from the right, which was parried into the path of Jesse Asomugha. He poked home and within the next 10 minutes had completed his hat-trick - firstly turning neatly inside the box and driving low into the far corner before converting a Cottell cross at the second attempt.

The Welland defence made some excellent tackles and blocks as they worked hard to repel the waves of attacks. Several shots flashed wide of the Welland goal until skipper Cian Sheehan was on target from distance and, although the keeper pushed his effort out, Sam Cotton was lurking to head in the loose ball.

As half-time approached, Cotton and Cottell went close again after being set-up by Will Sankey and Jamie Neath respectively but City weren't to be denied. Substitute George Hymas made an early impact as he linked up with Cotton to create another chance for Asomugha who coolly collected his fourth to put his side 5-0 up at the interval.

City brought on three more subs at half-time - one of whom Jamie Hill netted the sixth with an accurate finish after being set up by Neath.

The busy Hill quickly reciprocated by setting up a chance for his team-mate who was unluckily foiled by another smart block by the hosts' keeper. When the same player turned creator again soon afterwards, the beneficiary was Cottell and he stroked away the seventh, which was quickly followed by an eighth after he latched onto a delightful pass from Archie Thurston.

Cottell then turned provider as he crossed from the by-line to the far post, where Matt Athey smashed home his first goal of the season.

City hit double figures when Hymas broke clear with the ball under close control before calmly slotting into the net.

To their credit, Welland continued to battle but they succumbed to a late Neath double - his first a particularly tidy half-volley finish after another rampaging Hill run.

A 12-0 victory, clean sheet and progress into the next round of the cup competition provided the perfect present for City to take into the Christmas break but they can also be pleased with the way that they adapted to a new formation.