A solid defensive performance and a goal each from Felix Miles and Liam Lockett helped Worcester City to a hard fought 2-0 win against Coventry Sphinx.

Worcester had most of the ball in the opening stages, with lots of the teams’ play coming through captain Adam Mace, but shots on target were hard to come by. There were a series of near misses from Worcester in the opening 20 minutes, with Shay Palmer dragging just wide from the edge of the box before Jordan Lymn produced some brilliant footwork to make space in the area before firing just over the bar.

Worcester nearly gave away the lead after a defensive mix up nearly allowed Coventry a clear run at goal, but the ball landed kindly for goalkeeper Daniel Moore to claim it.

City didn’t dwell on that mistake, and some great play around the box following a throw in in the 21st minute led to a whipped ball in from Mace, with Logan Stoddart brought down to give Worcester a penalty.

Felix Miles stepped up, firing an emphatic penalty low to his left and in off the post to make it 1-0 to the Blue and Whites after 23 minutes.
Miles very nearly doubled his tally shortly after, with a ball in from a central free kick leading to a series of headers before falling to him on the edge of the area, with his curled effort going just wide of the post.

Worcester’s defenders dealt with Coventry Sphinx’s counters exceptionally well during the game but were nearly caught out in the 27th minute, a ball over the top reaching striker Harry Wakefield who cannoned a shot off of the crossbar to let Worcester off the hook.
Chris Cornes’ men would continue to control the rest of the half but would not be able to extend their advantage before the break, the closest they came being Liam Lockett’s saved effort following a great team move.

Worcester started brightly following the restart with, Sopuruchukwu Obieri nearly scoring in the 48th minute after the ball was played to him by Adam Mace, but his shot was knicked off him just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Lockett again went close to getting his second in the 54th minute, but his curling effort was just over.

Worcester took real control of the match in the 60th minute, with Liam Lockett driving from the left into the box and doing brilliantly to make his way past two defenders, he had options in the middle but going alone proved to be the right choice, firing a fantastic effort into the top right corner to make it 2-0.

For the most part Worcester were able to keep Coventry Sphinx at bay for the rest of the match, but it would have been a nervy finish had it not been for Moore’s brilliant goalkeeping, saving well in a one on one following a ball over the top by Sphinx in the 85th minute.

Moore and his defenders claimed a well-earned clean sheet, with the three points keeping Worcester in 4th, level on points with 3rd place Long Eaton United. City are next away to Boldmere St Michaels on the 22nd of March.

Match report by Sam Thomas.