WITH goals going in at one end and the defence holding firm at the other, Worcester City are in a good place right now.

In fact, they are in 14th place in Vanarama National League North – eight positions higher than they were two weeks ago – after seven points from three games.

And Saturday’s showing was their best as they swept aside bottom club Bradford Park Avenue at the Horsfall Stadium.

Lee Hughes, Cieron Keane and Chekaine Steele took their chances superbly, while City also clinched their first clean sheet of the season in a comprehensive victory.

However, frustration was still etched on the face of manager Carl Heeley as his side, once again, finished the match with 10 men.

Centre-back Graham Hutchison became the fifth player to be sent off this term when he received a second yellow card late on.

Although it did not impact on the result, the dismissal did take the gloss off what was an impressive performance from Worcester.

Boosted by their 5-3 win over Alfreton Town in midweek, City arrived in West Yorkshire full of confidence and showed attacking intent from the off with Steele turning right-back Andy McWilliams inside and out.

Having bagged braces in his previous two games, Hughes also had the bit between his teeth and he was unfortunate not to finish the first half with four goals to his name.

After striking the post early on, the 40-year-old hit the back of the net twice only for the assistant referee’s flag to deny him.

The first of those strikes was right out of the top drawer as he found the top corner with a stunning effort before it was chalked off for offside.

But Hughes still had one goal to celebrate and it came on 25 minutes.

Hutchison sent a long ball up towards the striker, who produced an exquisite touch to bring it down before tapping it past keeper Joe Cracknell.

Prior to the game, Junior English was the only player outside of in-form duo Hughes and Colby Bishop to score for City this season.

But in the second half at Avenue two Worcester wingers stepped up to the plate.

On 70 minutes, Keane produced a superb free-kick which went in off the crossbar to put his side 2-0 in front before an unmarked Steele headed in Hughes’ cross to wrap up the victory.

The final goal also capped off a brilliant display from 18-year-old Steele, who appears to be growing in stature with every game.

With three points all but secured with 16 minutes left, Worcester could have switched off but, with keeper Ryan Boot returning on loan, they remained resilient at the back.

The Port Vale stopper was calm and collected, while Tom Sharpe and Hutchison looked a solid partnership before the latter saw red.

With Avenue struggling at the foot of the table with no wins on the board, tougher tests will lie ahead.

But this was another positive step for Heeley’s men, who travel to seventh-placed Brackley Town on Tuesday night (7.45pm).