STRIKER Olivia Mitcham scored a hat-trick on Sunday as Worcester City Women FC beat Shifnal Town Ladies 5-0 to move to the top of the West Midlands Regional Women's Football League table.

City took the lead through Holly Rogers in the 15th minute of the game, but only after Shifnal wasted two opportunities to take the lead themselves, with the woodwork coming to City's rescue.

But City took control of the game from there and Mitcham scored her first in the 24th minute as Rogers turned provider to produce a cross into the Shifnal box for the City striker to take a touch and slot home.

The game did take a twist just before half-time, however. Hollie Congrave was given her marching orders from the referee after denying a goal-scoring opportunity and City had to play the remainder of the game a player light.

But despite the set-back, Worcester managed the game well after the break and they defended well whilst still holding plenty of threat going forward.

And the result was put to bed in the 65th minute when Emma Congrave converted from the spot.

At 3-0, City would have been forgiven for sitting back and protecting what they had whilst down to 10 players, but they went on the offensive and Mitcham made it four after shrugging off the defender and tucking the ball into the bottom corner. 

With time almost up, Mitcham completed her hat-trick as she reacted quickest to Congrave's effort being saved to tap home and wrap up an extremely comprehensive victory.

With Lye Town Ladies in cup action, the result does mean City replace Lye at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more than their closest title rivals.