Monday, October 30, 2000.

WORCESTER City bounced back from their Hampton horror show with a 4-1 win over Halesowen Town in the Worcestershire Senior Cup first round last night.

Two goals from Mark Owen and one each for Micky Cotter and Chris Jefferson helped City recover some confidence before Saturday's FA Umbro Trophy clash with Mangotsfield.

Manager John Barton said: "At least we looked as if we wanted to play the game and were prepared to compete.

"It was a stronger, workmanlike performance with another couple of yards in our game which enabled us to close people down, win a few challenges and get some attacking play going."

City hit the front on 13 minutes. From Mike Wyatt's free-kick, Carl Heeley's header hit a defender and fell kindly for Owen to knock in the rebound.

But Halesowen levelled nine minutes later through Les Hines' penalty after Heeley had tripped Ross Collins.

Former Halesowen 'keeper Danny McDonnell denied his old club with two fine saves before the break.

But City hit top gear in the second half. Owen had an effort ruled out which appeared to have crossed the line, but on 59 minutes a mistake by defender Phil Wood enabled the striker to race clear down the left before firing home a low shot.

Four minutes later Wood fouled Owen on the edge of the area and, having already been booked, was dismissed by Kidderminster referee G.D. Pearson.

City capitalised and on 67 minutes, Owen's cross was tapped home by Cotter for his first City goal.

Young substitute Jefferson then headed in a Wyatt corner on 81 minutes to seal City's first win over Halesowen in 11 attempts.

Worcester: McDonnell 7, Greenman 5 (Bradley 76), Jukes 6, Tucker 7, Heeley 7, Lutz 6 (Scheppel 84), M. Wyatt 7, Cottrill 7, Owen 8, Cotter 7 (Jefferson 78), Reed 6. Subs not used: P. Wyatt, Hyde.

H Star man: Mark Owen.

Attendance: 315.