TOM Thorley believes tomorrow’s trip to Bishop’s Stortford (3pm) could be the perfect opportunity for Worcester City to boost their Blue Square Bet North away form.

The midfielder, who opened his account with a brace in the 3-0 victory over Altrincham last weekend, says that, given their recent fixtures on the road, a visit to Woodside Park is a chance to replicate their home form.

City have only lost once at the Lane this term, but they haven’t picked up a victory on their travels since the start of October — a 2-1 success at strugglers Blyth Spartans.

However, Carl Heeley’s men have fallen at high-flying Stalybridge Celtic 2-0 and Droylsden 4-1 in their last two away outings.

But with the Bishops, who are managed by former England and Tottenham keeper Ian Walker, languishing in the bottom three, Thorley hopes things will start to turn around.

“Carl said earlier in the week we need to be tougher away from home and he is right,” the 21-year-old former Stoke City trainee said.

“But you do have to take into consideration the teams we have been playing — they have been extremely tough.

“We know no game is easy, especially away from home, but it is a chance for us.”

City, without winger Lee Smith due to his club suspension following a Twitter row, hope top-scorer Mike Symons (hamstring) may make an early return from injury.

They sit seventh in the table, three points behind Corby and Guiseley in the play-off places.

But Thorley feels it is too early for the team to start talking about finishing in the top five.

“If you had said we would be where we are at the start of the season, we would have taken it,” he said.

“We have been very encouraged with how it is going, there is great competition for places which is a good thing.

“We have to take each game as it comes and stay grounded but the future is definitely bright.”

Although in the final year of his PE and sport studies degree at the University of Worcester, Thorley, who won silver at the World University Games in China with Great Britain, believes football has been a release for him.

“The work load at university is pretty intense,” he added.

“So to have football is a great relief.

“Once I finish my studies, I want to become a teacher so it is good to be able to combine the two.”