FT: Shepshed 1 (Jordan Smith 81) City 2 (Weir 11, Lockett 90+3)

MATCH VERDICT | Shepshed 1 City 2 

DAN JEZEPH 7

Made important saves and confidently claimed high balls before getting caught out for the Shepshed goal. If you come from your line, you have to get there.

TYLER WEIR 8

Effervescent, purposeful and still found time for a trademark grin to the home crowd when he got stick. A well-taken goal that he might have added to. A key part of City’s attacking fluency.

ADAM OSBOURNE 7

Solid and workmanlike. Weir’s forays forward limited his contribution with the ball but his efforts were important in giving City balance.

ANDY GALLINAGH 7

Aggressive and composed as and when required. His experience is bringing the best from Jordan Stoddart, although the ball bounced in Worcester’s box too many times in the first half.

JORDAN STODDART 7

When the going got tough, the skipper was on hand. Again, the one criticism would be that collective first-half hesitancy in clearing City’s lines.

JAMIE SMITH 4

Had done okay in a different position and was trying to cover his colleagues in the red card incident. Possibly a harsh call but it was also a preventable situation from a team perspective.

STAR MAN – MAT BIRLEY 8.5

At his majestic best with the ball, those things that did not come off against Stourport did this time. Worked tirelessly when the chips were down too.

GEORGE FORSYTH 8

Good in central midfield, excelled at the back under all sorts of pressure. His tiny-but-decisive touch on a cross flashed across goal prevented the equaliser arriving earlier.

JORDAN HARRISON 7.5

Quickly becoming a crucial component in City’s fluid attack. His movement and pace pulls around opponents, creating space for others.

DAVE REYNOLDS 7.5

Unlucky not to score with a bold lash of a bouncing ball early on. Did a different job when down to 10 men, proving he is far more than just a poacher. Blocked a shot with his face.

CHRIS WITHINGTON 7.5

Covered so much ground and did not shirk the battle against physically tough opponents. A mature display.

Subs: Evans 7 (Harrison, 62), Lockett 7.5 (Reynolds, 76). Unused: Baldwin, Bates, Gwynne (g/k).

Shepshed: Ganley 6.5, Wakeling 6, Patrocinio 7 (Davies, 82, 6), Pheasant 7, Betts 6.5 (Moore, 50, 5.5), Prenderville 6, Mwanyongo 5.5, Whymark 7, Robbins 6.5, Jordan Smith 6.5, Foster 5.5 (Phillips, h-t, 6). Unused subs: Day, Osaji.

Attendance: 213.

Referee: Minesh Gupta, 5.

Match rating: 6.