Monday, November 15, 1999.

WORCESTER City finally found their scoring touch and thrashed Redditch United 6-1 in the Dr Martens Cup first round last night.

Striker Mark Owen grabbed a hat-trick as City gave their fans and new manager John Barton plenty of cause for optimism.

It may only be the Dr Martens Cup, but after the problems City have had in recent weeks, such a result can do wonders for confidence.

Barton said afterwards: "Our general play was better and certainly in the second half we looked a lot more positive than what we had been, and looked as if we were going to score some goals.

"The two lads up front worked their socks off and got a lot of joy in the last half-an-hour."

City could also take comfort from more impressive defending, with Martin Weir and Mark Tucker in commanding form in the centre.

But such a scoreline looked unlikely at half-time. Owen's close-range effort gave City the lead after 14 minutes, but Redditch had caused City several problems and Jan Mulders headed a deserved equaliser in stoppage time.

City finally clicked into gear after the break, scoring four times in 15 minutes to seal their victory.

Andy Ellis shot home on 56 minutes after Owen's shot on the turn was parried by Redditch 'keeper Dave Adey, and Owen struck three minutes later, beating four defenders in a dazzling solo run before slotting home.

Keith Knight headed his first goal for the club on 69 minutes after John Deakin's cross came back off the bar, and two minutes later Owen completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after a foul by Reds defender Neil Manton.

Steve Lutz, who filled in well as a makeshift striker, completed the rout four minutes from time with another penalty after former City favourite Paul Molloy had brought him down.

The one sour note for City was a knee injury suffered by defender Chris Greenman on his comeback from a lengthy lay-off and he faces several more weeks on the sidelines.

Worcester: Watson 6, Greenman 7 (Richards 65, 6), Willetts 6, Tucker 8, Weir 9, Cottrill 6 (Heeley 46, 6), Deakin 7, Ellis 7 (Jukes 78), Owen 8, Lutz 7, Knight 6.

H Star man: Martin Weir.

Attendance: 379.