Match Report | WCWFC 1-0 Kidderminster Harriers

Sophie Griffiths’ 40th-minute strike was enough to see City gain back-to-back wins under the lights at Sixways after an outstanding Worcester performance.

Fresh off the back of their heroic Adobe Women’s FA Cup triumph, City welcomed local rivals Kidderminster Harriers on a Wednesday evening to Sixways and were hoping for a repeat performance after coming away 2-0 winners at Sixways earlier on in the season in the group stage of the FA Women’s National League Cup thanks to second half goals from Jessica Fassnidge and Carys Lowley.

There was plenty of Halloween fun before and during the game, including face painting, a treasure hunt, arts and crafts, and even a contest for the best-dressed person, who won a replica home shirt.

Additionally, before the game, there was an impressive performance from the University of Worcester Dance Society (UOW Saints). We also collected donations for Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven.

New signings Connie Matthews and Maia Clark both made their home debuts in front of the Sixways faithful.

It was the visitors who had the first attempt of the game two minutes in, after City were broken on, but the effort from Harriers went wide of the post.

Four minutes later, Sophie Griffiths whipped in a fantastic ball from the right into the box; however, nobody from a Worcester persuasion could get on the end of the cross.

Kaye Haggett whipped in a free kick from distance in the 15th minute, which hit a Kidderminster head and went behind for a City corner.

Less than a minute later, Harriers had a glorious chance to take the lead after some neat play from the forward who put in a cross into the box, but fortunately for Worcester, the ball went wide of the post.

City were awarded a free kick in the 20th minute, which Charlotte Poole struck really well and looked to be heading into the bottom left-hand corner of the net, but the Kiddy keeper tipped the ball round the post.

A minute later, Haggett found some space on the edge of the box, and she hit a shot; however, her effort took a deflection and went behind for a corner.

Ten minutes before the break, Griffiths had an effort after the ball sat up nicely for her, but her effort went wide of the post.

Five minutes before the break, City took the lead, after Clark chased down a lost cause, which ended up with the keeper playing it off her, and the ball fell to Griffiths, who slotted it home to score her first goal of the season.

Midfielder Laila Rich had the first effort of the second half, but unfortunately for City, the ball went over the bar.

In the 54th minute, City almost doubled their lead after Clark got in behind, but her shot was saved by the visitors' keeper and hooked away before a City player could tap home.

On the hour mark, City were awarded a free kick, but Nyah Edwards' effort directly from the resulting free kick went over the bar.

With fifteen minutes to go, Jodie Whiteman tipped a 20-yard strike around the post.

A minute from time, Haggett drove a shot from the edge of the box, but the Harriers keeper pushed the ball away.

It was drama in stoppage time; first, Whiteman saved after the striker was bearing down on goal, and then City was given a penalty deep into stoppage time after game-changer Jasmin Springer was brought down; however, another game-changer, Keeley Crew, hit the penalty over the bar.

City managed the second half expertly after a resolute display to secure a wonderful derby day win.

Thank you to all 463 of you for coming down to Sixways and for your fantastic support.

Next up is an away trip to the War Memorial Ground to take on Stourbridge in the FA Women’s National League on Sunday, 2nd November, with a 2pm kick off.