WORCESTER City continued their impressive warm-up to the new season with victory over West Bromwich Albion.

Mike Symons scored the only goal against a youthful side from the Premiership Baggies nine minutes before the break in a game watched by a bumper crowd of 1,017 at St George’s Lane.

City made a solid start to the feisty friendly, with Matt Breeze stinging the palms of Shane Lewis in the 13th minute.

Charlie Reece smashed an effort against the bar three minutes later following neat link-up play between Symons and Danny Glover.

A well-worked 28th-minute free-kick then saw Glover force Lewis to make a diving save to his right.

Albion’s best first-half chance fell to Romaine Sawyers but keeper Glyn Thompson was equal to his lofted effort.

City took the lead with 36 minutes gone, Glover’s drive being pushed by Lewis into the path of Symons to give the striker an easy finish.

Thompson beat out an effort from Jason Bantom immediately after the interval and the same player dragged a shot inches wide on the hour.

Michael Taylor scuffed a shot when well-placed seconds after coming on, while fellow second-half substitute Ben Hunt just failed to get a toe to Matt Birley’s drive across the box.

Thompson was caught in possession by Sawyers on 70 minutes but the Baggies striker failed to take advantage.

The usual flurry of changes saw the contest become disrupted but Phil Green had a shot blocked by the feet of Lewis and Sam Brooks powered a header over as City finished the stronger.

City: Thompson, Weir (Haynes 72), Deeney (Green 79), Khan (Brooks 52), Ayres, Thorley (S Brown 76), Reece (Birley 64), Denny, Symons (Taylor 67), Glover (Hunt 67), Breeze (Edwards 64). Subs not used: D Smith, J Smith, Sargeant.

West Brom: Lewis, Francis (Palmer 64), Garmston, Atkinson, Daniels, Gayle, Nabi, Pace (Howkins 72), Jones (Hayes 56), Sawyers, Bantom (Ambalu 80). Subs not used: C Jones, I Brown.

Attendance: 1,017.