WORCESTER City withstood a second half fightback from Romulus to kick off their time at the Victoria Ground with a thrilling 4-3 win.

Making their first appearance at their new temporary home since leaving Aggborough, the exiled club seemed to be relishing their new surroundings as they powered into a 4-0 lead.

Both of their unnamed trialists got on the scoresheet while Chekaine Steele and Lee Hughes also took advantage of some sluggish defending to put their side on course for an emphatic victory.

But with the slope – which Carl Heeley’s men will become accustomed to over the next few weeks – going against them after the break, their opponents hit back with three goals, including a 40-yard stunner from Mark Danks, to give City a fright.

After his late brace against Sutton Coldfield last Friday, Hughes was brought back into the attack and he went close early on with a chip, which skimmed the crossbar.

It did not take long before the Blue and Whites did open the scoring as a mix-up in Romulus’ defence saw the ball fall to one of the trialist who finished with ease.

Worcester then made it 2-0 on 20 minutes when Steele beat the offside trap before slotting the ball past keeper Stuart Parsons.

The pacey winger benefited from a long ball in behind the visitors’ back four and this was a tactic which was working well for Worcester.

At the other end, Ethan Ross, who was playing his first game since agreeing to join City on a long-term loan, did not have a meaningful save to make until 35 minutes when he dived to his right to save Liam Hailey’s powerful strike.

City were doing most of the running and they opened up a healthy lead courtesy of two goals in four minutes.

Firstly, the second of Worcester’s trialists found the bottom corner before Romulus’ defenders failed to deal with another high ball and Hughes punished them.

With a four-goal cushion at the break, the hosts appeared to be in complete control and they had chances to increase their lead even further at the start of the second half.

The trialist, who got City’s third goal, came close to scoring his second before Joe Bates dragged a shot wide after a superb delivery from fellow replacement Matt Birley.

Despite the miss, Worcester looked firmly in command, but thanks to a piece of brilliance from Danks on 65 minutes, Romulus turned the tide.

After spotting Nick Draper, who came on at half-time, off his line, Danks produced an sensational lob to give his side hope.

Moments later, Romulus then added another as Dexter Walters stabbed the ball home from close range.

With City’s lead cut to 4-2, the away side suddenly had all the momentum as Hailey went agonisingly close to scoring the third.

Kyle Perry and Bates had opportunities which they skied, but Romulus were pushing harder and their efforts were rewarded late on when Malachi Farquharson headed in a corner.

Worcester were under plenty of pressure, but with the help of Draper, who made a number of saves in the dying moments, they hung on for another welcome win ahead of the new season.

Worcester City: Ross (Draper H/T); Thompson, Morris (Jackman 36), Hutchison, Weir (Smith 65); English (Geddes H/T), Fitzpatrick; Trialist, Trialist (Bates 58), Steele (Birley 58); Hughes (Perry 58)