WORCESTER Raiders were dumped out of the FA Cup as a catastrophic opening half an hour at Shifnal Town condemned them to a first defeat of the season. 

Raiders found themselves 4-0 down inside 30 minutes as Joe Cuff bagged a hat-trick following an early opener from Josh Hesson. 

Raiders improved after the break and pulled one back thanks to captain Sam Carey. 

But the damage had already been done and Shifnal progress into the qualifying round of the FA cup at Raiders expense.

It will be a reality check for Karl Gormley's side, who have started the 2023/24 campaign in brilliant form. 

They sit top of the Hellenic League Premier with three wins from four and are yet to concede a goal, but shipped four inside a torrid half-an-hour at Shifnal.

They were 1-0 down in the eighth minute when a ball was worked into the box from the left and Hesson was there to apply the finishing touches. 

One became two in the 24th minute as a ball over the top found Cuff on the run, and he headed past an onrushing Ryan Young to double their lead.

Cuff helped himself to another four minutes later with a cheeky back heel before completing an eight-minute hat-trick with a brilliant solo effort.

The game was ultimately finished from there and Young saved a penalty from Hesson four minutes into the second-half to keep it at four. 

Raiders managed to reduce the deficit mid-way through the second period with a well-timed half volley but despite their efforts to further eat into Shifnal's lead, there was no change in the score and the game ended 4-1.