WORCESTER City moved three points clear at the top of the Hellenic League Premier after Izak Reid's second-half strike sealed a 2-1 win over second-placed Corsham Town at Claines Lane on Saturday.
City keeper Haydn Whitcombe had saved an 18th-minute penalty to deny Corsham the lead, a moment that was made even more decisive when Dylan Hart headed home Adam Mace's corner three minutes before half-time as City took a 1-0 lead into the second-half.
Corsham had limited City for the majority of the first-half but after a frustrating end to the first-half, the visitors responded well at the start of the second period and were level shortly after the restart, Corsham captain Cooper thumping a finish past Whitcombe.
The game swung back in City’s favour with just over 20 minutes to play as a long ball over the top found winger Reid, who strode clear before rifling a strike through Alfie Kelsey and into the back of the net.
Whitcombe did have to make a brilliant save as the second-half wore on, keeping Kyle Simpson's strike out of the net, before City captain Mace made a crucial block to deny Cooper a second goal on the rebound.
But in the end, City held on to move three points clear of Corsham at the top of the league, still with three games in hand. It is also the first time Worcester have been top of any league at Christmas since 1990.
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