Worcester City 4 Stalybridge Celtic 0

WHAT looked set to be another frustrating day at Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground turned out to be a fabulous four-goal display from Worcester City.

For the best part of an hour, City struggled to get out of first gear against a Stalybridge Celtic side who had lost 11 of their 13 games in Vanarama National League North.

But, after Ebby Nelson-Addy scored against the run of play at the end of the first half and Stalybridge striker Daniel Wilkins rattled the upright six minutes after the break, Worcester finally cut loose and powered to an empathic victory.

Chekaine Steele sparked his side into life when he went on a jinking run before releasing Lee Hughes, who tucked away his 11th goal of the campaign.

With City now on full throttle, chances came and went as Hughes struck the post before his side produced a moment of quality and a stunning team move to complete the rout late on.

Promising midfielder Joe Fitzpatrick showed his class with a wonderfully-weighted delivery for Colby Bishop to expertly volley home.

But that goal was arguably bettered with just seconds remaining.

After breaking down the right, Jordan Murphy and Steele linked up brilliantly before laying the ball on a plate for Cieron Keane to fire in off the post.

It was a scintillating end to an impressive final 30 minutes from Worcester, who climbed four places to 12th, nine points clear of the relegation zone and nine adrift of the play-off positions.

It was also a much-needed victory for the Blue and Whites on their own turf having only won one of their previous eight games at their new temporary base.

Coming into the match, manager Carl Heeley called on supporters to get behind his team but they had little to get excited about in a dismal opening period.

Hughes cut a lonely, frustrated figure up front as City failed to create any chances and regularly gifted the ball to the opposition.

With Junior English missing and Fitzpatrick given the nod ahead of captain Danny Jackman, Worcester’s lack of experience in midfield was exposed.

Keane was particularly struggling on his return to the side, while Micah Evans, who was playing in behind Hughes, quickly faded on his home debut.

Stalybridge were doing all the pressing but it was the hosts who struck a minute before the interval.

Hughes was quick to pounce on a loose ball, leaving him with only goalkeeper Tony McMillan to beat.

The Celtic stopper did well to parry Hughes’ shot but Nelson-Addy was on hand to give Worcester an undeserved lead at half-time.

Despite Stalybridge’s dominance, goalkeeper Ryan Boot was rarely troubled and that was largely down to City’s resolute defending.

Following on from his man-of-the match display in Worcester’s 0-0 draw at Boston United last Saturday, centre-half Sam Oji was a commanding presence along with Graham Hutchison.

With such security at the back and the slope in their favour in the second half, City proved too hot to handle for second-from-bottom Stalybridge.

Bishop’s arrival off the bench on 52 minutes also made an impact as Worcester turned on the style in front of their jubilant fans.