Worcester City dug deep to put on a gritty performance, sealing another win against Knowle who currently sit 11th in the league.

Knowle 0 – 4 WCWFC 

Worcester City dug deep to put on a gritty performance, sealing another win against Knowle who currently sit 11th in the league. With this result, City continue their reign of first in the league, seven points clear of Lye Town in second place. 

A fast and furious early five minutes saw Knowle create a few chances and an early corner from the Robins was dealt with comfortably by Cerys Dolloway as the defender headed it away. Knowle came in again with a shot towards goal, but goalkeeper Sofia Stolt stretched to make the save.  

Striker Olivia Mitcham proved to be an unbearable threat against the opposition but the ball just wouldn’t fall for her. Chances fell to Mitcham and Fassnidge but neither could get their shots on target, but City kept pushing forward. Again, a well-worked passage of play from Laura Davies from within midfield saw the ball fall to Mitcham’s feet but Knowle’s number one made the smart move to come out of goal before the striker could cause any harm. 

Leah Ritson worked hard down the left wing, creating chances where she could and linking well with Davies and Ballard in central areas. An intelligent passage of play starting from Dolloway saw the ball be worked well through Shona Baldwin down the right, and into the run of City’s captain, Fassnidge, who cut the ball back for Mitcham, but the striker’s shot went over the crossbar. 

City finally broke the deadlock on 36 minutes, when Dolloway pushed higher and found Congrave in space. The ball then struck outwards to Ritson who made the smart move to send it back centrally for Fassnidge. City’s captain took her opportunity well with a cool finish inside the eighteen-yard box, netting the first goal of the half. 

Finding themselves in the attacking third after Mitcham raced past Knowle, City won a corner. Congrave sent it into the box but a handball from Knowle meant that City were rewarded with a penalty on the 44th minute. Mitcham stepped up to take the penalty and composedly struck down the centre of the goal and City took a 2-0 lead into halftime. 

With the second half bringing in Holly Rogers, Hollie Congrave was able to try and work with the winger to get the ball rolling down the right side. Play originating from Congrave once again went through her younger sister to reach the advancing Fassnidge. The midfielder sent the cross in towards goal and Mitcham was on the end of it to slot it home on the 55th minute. 

City maintained possession and came close again on 69 minutes when Hollie Congrave whipped in an inviting cross, after seeing the run of Ritson, but Ritson’s fantastic header smashed against the crossbar. 

A fingertip save was forced from Knowle’s goalkeeper as a free kick, taken and won by Emma Congrave, looked likely to dip into the net. Mitcham grabbed her hattrick in the 81st minute when substitute Annie Sime had the vision to put it on a plate for City’s number 9, and her left-foot strike left the Knowle Goalkeeper with no chance. 

In just her second time of playing for the first team, midfielder and Development Team Captain, Tinny Conway found herself in plenty of space. Receiving the ball from Kerstin Ballard, the number 27 struck on target but her shot fell into the hands of the Robins’ goalkeeper. 

The final whistle went with City convincing winners, to extend their lead at the top and unbeaten league run. City face Crusaders next Sunday at Sixways in a 2pm Kick Off. Get your tickets here! 

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Development Team Suffer a Late Defeat in Thrilling 2-3 Encounter Against Redditch

WCWFC 2-3 Redditch United

City entered the game with confidence, asserting control over possession from the start and aiming to establish an early advantage. Despite their dominance on the ball, both teams struggled to create clear scoring opportunities in the initial stages. It wasn't until the 20th minute that the first chance materialised, as Badland earned a free kick in a promising position on the left side of the box. Finley stepped up to take the kick, curling the ball towards the bottom right corner, only to see it ricochet off the post.

Three minutes later, Redditch sought to respond with a dangerous delivery from a corner, nearly finding the net with a powerful header at the back post.

The game began to open up five minutes afterward when Smith carved out space for a shot from 20 yards out. Despite a well-struck effort, the keeper managed to tip it away, resulting in a City corner.

Tensions rose when two players collided, leaving a Redditch player down and in pain. Despite calls from the Redditch bench to stop play, City retained possession until ultimately losing the ball, sparking frustration among the opposition. However, City's defense held firm, with Carter making a crucial save to keep the score level and allowing for the injured player to receive treatment.

The deadlock was broken in the 34th minute when Finley's free kick, just shy of the halfway line, forced the keeper into action. Though the initial save was made, Watson pounced on the rebound, slotting the ball into the empty net. Buoyed by the goal, City pressed forward, with Smith narrowly missing the target on two occasions before finally finding the mark with a precise shot into the top corner, sending City into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

Redditch emerged from the break with renewed vigor, wasting no time in pulling a goal back just two minutes into the second half from a well-worked corner.

Despite conceding, City regained their composure and came close to extending their lead through Heath's left-footed free kick, which narrowly missed the target. Carter then showcased her skills once more with another outstanding save to preserve City's advantage.

As the match progressed, both teams continued to create opportunities, with City looking dangerous from set pieces. However, Redditch capitalised on a defensive lapse to equalise with a stunning chip from an improbable angle.

In the closing stages, City remained committed to their passing game but were unable to break the deadlock. Meanwhile, Redditch pressed forward relentlessly and secured victory with a spectacular volley from long range, clinching all three points for the home side.

In the end, it was a hard-fought contest with both teams displaying determination and skill, but it was Redditch who emerged victorious with a memorable late strike.

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City’s Defence Holds the Line to Help City Earn Three Points

Worcester City U18 2-0 Bromsgrove Sporting U18

The U18’s displayed determination as they clinched three crucial points in the rematch of the season opener. Right from the kick-off, City found themselves under intense pressure, with Sporting launching sustained and determined attacks. The rapid and skillful Bromsgrove striker consistently kept central defenders Charlotte R and Rose on their toes during the initial twenty minutes. City weathered the storm with the assistance of Becca delivering solid and composed goalkeeping, frustrating the opposition with well-timed punches to clear corner balls.

As the half-hour mark approached, City discovered their rhythm, dominating the midfield and initiating promising attacks down both flanks. Despite three narrowly missed opportunities, the score remained frustratingly level at halftime.

After the break, Sporting renewed their attacking efforts, leaving gaps in midfield that City exploited. Eva and Connie embarked on several promising runs, contributing to waves of pressure on the Bromsgrove defensive lines. The deadlock was finally broken in the 53rd minute when Roseann, with a determined run, overcame challenges from two defenders, delivering a well-timed pass to Ellie in the centre of the box. Under pressure, Ellie calmly guided the ball past the Sporting keeper, giving City a 1-0 lead.

The game evolved into a thrilling exchange of attacks and counterattacks, with opportunities emerging at both ends. In the 78th minute, Kiera unleashed a beautiful free kick after a foul on Bella, narrowly missing the left-hand post by mere centimeters.

Securing all three points in the 92nd minute, City capitalised on a tussle in Sporting's box. The ball, not fully cleared, fell to Mia, who rolled it back to Chloe. Chloe unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from the edge of the box into the roof of Sporting's net, solidifying the score at 2-0 for the Blue and Whites.

Rose was awarded Player of the Match by her teammates for her decisive and determined performance in the heart of the defence.