Worcester City (4-4-1-1)

7 Boot – flapped at a couple of crosses but was equal to Stalybridge’s efforts on goal as he clinched his fifth clean sheet for City this season.

7 Gallinagh – given the captain’s armband again, the right-back was dependable in defence throughout, giving little away down his flank.

7 Hutchison – had a busy afternoon defending Stalybridge’s crosses into the box and won most of the aerial duals.

9 OJI – another star turn from the powerful centre-back who is making life difficult for Tom Sharpe to get back into the team as he defended superbly again.

6 Weir – a mixed bag from the full-back, who helped City shut up shop but was also guilty of inviting pressure with some wayward passes.

7 Steele – struggled, like the rest of his team-mates, to fire in the first half but kept battling and was rewarded with two assists.

7 Fitzpatrick – after a poor start where he failed to impose himself, the midfielder showed his class, producing a stunning delivery for Colby Bishop’s late volley.

6 Nelson-Addy – gave the ball away too often in the opening period but, once he got the opener, his confidence grew and he started to put his side on the front foot.

6 Keane – completed the rout with a well-taken goal but this only put a shine on what was a pretty disappointing showing.

5 Evans – appears to be lacking match sharpness as he faded quickly and was replaced just after the interval.

8 Hughes – his desire to turn an abject display into a winning one was clear as he scored City’s second and could have had more. Left the field to a well-deserved standing ovation.

Subs: Bishop 7 (Evans 52), Murphy (Hughes 88). Not used: Jackman, Ross, Craig.

Stalybridge Celtic (4-4-2): McMillan 6; Mather 6, Hughes 5, O’Brien 6 (Ryan 6, 31), Wisdom 6; Morton 5 (Madeley 53, 6), Gee 6, Summerskill 6, Chippendale 5 (Owen 53, 6); Dickenson 5, Wilkins 7. Subs not used: Toner, McKnight.

Attendance: 464.

Referee: Josh Smith 6/10.

Match rating: 3/5.

MATCH STATS

City/Stalybridge

Shots on: 7/6.

Shots off: 6/4.

Corners: 4/5.

Offsides: 6/1.

Fouls conceded: 8/8.

Yellows: City – Hutchison, Fitzpatrick; Stalybridge - Hughes.