RAY Woods hailed Worcester City's young heroes following their shock semi-final win over Sutton Coldfield Town in the Midland Floodlit League Cup last night.

City's promising youth team defeated the cup favourites 2-1 at Coles Lane to reach the competition final for the first time in 20 years.

A fantastic 20-yard free-kick from teenage winger Dean Clarke settled the tie with 15 minutes remaining. In the first-half, striker Tom Wale gave Worcester an early lead before Sutton responded from the penalty spot.

City now meet Stourbridge in next Wednesday's final held at Kidderminster Harriers.

"It was absolutely brilliant, just unbelievable," said Woods, youth development officer at St George's Lane. "Every single one of them were heroes. The commitment to the cause was fantastic.

"Sutton are a very, very good side and they probably edged the first-half. But the lads galvanised themselves after the interval and deserved to win.

"But I've said to them, there's no point beating all these teams to then lose in the final. We must finish the job."

Victory for City represented a huge giant-killing as Sutton, current runaway leaders in the MYFL Premier Division, experienced just one defeat in all competitions this season prior to the clash.

Earlier in the League Cup, Worcester dumped out MYFL Western Division champions-elect Hednesford Town, Redditch United, Racing Club Warwick and Blackheath Town.

City's last appearance in the League Cup Final came in 1984-85 when they lost to Hednesford Town.