Point for Worcester City U16s thanks to Dec's dream strike

A spectacular late strike from Declan O'Shea on his JPL debut earned a well-deserved share of the spoils for City against Halesowen Town.

The recent new signing followed up the close range strike he netted on his first appearance in the WFA County Cup a fortnight ago with a dipping half-volley that capped a fine team move. It came with minutes remaining and was no more than the home side deserved after a battling display on a windswept morning at Perdiswell.

With the wind behind them, City probably shaded the first two quarters but just couldn't create any real clear-cut openings. Sam Cotton was enjoying plenty of success on the left flank but his deliveries into the box went unpunished as did several corners - Will Cottell nodding narrowly over the angle from a Fabian Hook cross after the Town keeper had made a good block to foil him in the first quarter.

The visitors were looking to hit City on the counter but found the back line of Cotton, Flynn Wearing-Sheridan, Charlie Swift and Alex Fenn difficult to break down. When they did breach the home defence, they were repelled by an excellent save from Josh Reed-Jones.

The start of Q3 saw the hosts hit by a real sucker punch as they conceded a very soft goal from a corner - the Halesowen player rising unchallenged to head his side in front.

Kicking into the breeze, City struggled to master the conditions and the visitors nearly extended their lead but Reed-Jones got down at his far post to clutch a curling effort.

A formation change saw them build some pressure in the final quarter - their just rewards coming when O'Shea swept home the equaliser from the edge of the box. A last-ditch block by Fenn prevented a late Halesowen winner as the points were shared.