WORCESTER City were made to work hard to pick up three points against a South Normanton Athletic team whose performance belied their lowly position in the Midland League Premier Division table.

Goals from captain George Forsyth and Liam Lockett ensured Worcester secured the win in what was a competitive contest.

The visitors had pulled a goal back from the penalty spot but as they sought an equaliser they were reduced to 10 men, helping City to see out the remaining 20 minutes.

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Guest reporter Steve Mather gives his analysis on how the action unfolded at the Victoria Ground.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

George Forsyth was excellent all over the pitch, delivering a real captain’s performance to see City over the line.

After being hurt in a strong challenge early on, it initially looked doubtful whether he would be able to continue.

But his commitment to the cause was never in doubt and he was in the right place at the right time to strike the first goal of the game and get City’s confidence flowing.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

In a fairly even contest, the game always looked likely to be decided by small margins.

It was vital that City scored the second goal of the game to give themselves breathing space and it was Liam Lockett who delivered.

Many supporters were still clutching their half-time coffees and taking their seats when Lockett scored in the first minute of the second period to put City 2-0 up and put paid to South Normanton’s hopes of getting back into the game quickly.

BORN TO RUN

Manager John Snape and the Worcester fans will have been delighted at the levels of effort and desire on show.

City’s players ran themselves into the ground with Chris Withington and Kyonn Evans in particular showing great energy levels.

The sight of substitute Jordan Harrison chasing down lost causes as the game reached its latter stages, winning throw-ins, corners and generally pegging the visitors back, was a joy to behold for the home faithful.

There’s nothing fans appreciate more than players really putting in the hard yards.

RED CARD DRAMA

City have been on the wrong end of some red cards this season with Dan Jezeph’s dismissal in the big home defeat to Westfields and Jordan Stoddart’s midweek mishap still fresh in the memory.

However they certainly benefitted from the referee brandishing the red card to visiting full-back Dominic Allen.

He was shown a straight red for a challenge right in front of the referee’s assistant to put a serious dent in the visitors' hopes of a comeback.

MOVING ON UP

The win moved Worcester City up to eighth in the table, bypassing Boldmere St Michaels who were on the end of a six-goal home thumping to free-scoring Westfields – sound familiar?

If City can keep getting points on the board then they will be quietly confident of a serious promotion push.

They have four games in hand on the team directly above them AFC Wulfrunians and are now only eight points behind second-placed Westfields.

With plenty of points to play for until May, optimism levels should be on the rise.

MATCH FACTS AND STATS

MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER

Worcester City 2 (Forsyth 24, Lockett 46) South Normanton Athletic 1 (O’Connell 65).

City: Gilder 7, English 6.5, Caines 6 (Fishwick 52, 6), FORSYTH 8, Horton 6.5, McFarlane 6, Withington 7.5, Attoumani 6.5 (Willis 68, 6), Lemon 6 (Harrison 59, 6.5), Evans 7, Lockett 7. Unused subs: Gwynne, Birley.

South Normanton Athletic: Hall 6, Allen 5, Butcher 6.5 (Haig 84, 5), Smyth 7, Strzyewski 6.5, Leigh 6, Garnett 6, Tyson 6, Wakefield 6 (Paul 59, 5), O’Connell 7, KING 7.5 (Crosby 76, 5.5). Unused subs: Nadine, Robinson.

Star man: George Forsyth (Worcester City).

Attendance: 280.

Referee: Darren Laska.