FIVE TALKING POINTS: Quorn 2 Worcester City 5

FIVE-star Worcester City emphatically ended a three-match losing streak in the league by ripping through poor Quorn at will.

AS IT HAPPENED: Quorn 2 City 5

City had already flooded forward on many occasions when Jordan Harrison broke the deadlock, planting inside the near post from a Josh Willis centre.

Luke English forced home the second after Callum McFarlane had been thwarted from a Willis corner with Harrison making it three in 11 minutes by glancing in as English turned provider from the right.

Home keeper Haydn Whitcombe was sent off for racing from his line and clattering into Jamal Lawrence just outside the box in the 34th minute with defender Callum Ball taking over in goal.

Willis combined with Liam Lockett who whacked the far post from a tight angle before half-time and the duo continued to be a nuisance after the break.

Lockett had gone close a number of times before steaming on to a deft touch from Harrison to rifle past Ball.

City’s levels briefly dropped, allowing Stephen Hart the chance to force past Sam Gilder after Alex Morris had nodded down Lawrence Gorman’s deep ball.

The visitors regained composure only to get caught on the break with Hart’s cross slammed in at the far post by Brad Maslen-Jones with 18 minutes to go.

But Lockett had the last laugh, sauntering in from the left with his cross-shot deflected into his own net by crestfallen defender Mitchell Tomlinson late on.

Gilder then produced a spectacular save to tip Aris Asri’s swirler that looked bound for the top corner against the bar.

TALKING POINTS

WAS THE PERFORMANCE AS GOOD AS THE RESULT SUGGESTS?

Absolutely, probably more so.

Quorn simply could not live with City for the bulk of this game, every ball had them scrambling and there was the composure to pick the right option and execute it the majority of the time.

It was hard to fathom the transformation from last weekend.

WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE?

It could simply be down to the way City started.

Such a young side is always likely to be affected or boosted by confidence and a ponderous start set the tone in the defeat to Long Eaton United.

In this one Jamal Lawrence had a chance within 15 seconds and Worcester went for the throat from there.

Another telling factor was the placement of round pegs in round holes – most of the players started in positions they are accustomed to and it showed.

WERE CITY BRILLIANT OR QUORN TERRIBLE?

The fast start did have the hosts like rabbits in the headlights. They did not adjust and a lack of pressure on the ball allowed people to pick passes and hit areas from deep, particularly in the first half.

That said, City were fast, powerful and made the most of the time and space to play good football.

By the time Haydn Whitcombe got sent off Quorn were in a right mess.

While his dismissal might have been a tad harsh based on where the ball seemed to be heading, it actually halted the momentum of the game at a good time for the hosts.

HOW DID THIS MEASURE UP AGAINST THE REST OF THE SEASON?

It is hard to recall many – in fact any – better displays this season.

In the 6-1 win at Dunkirk the opponents waved the white flag and it was hardly the perfect start.

Arguably the best showing before today was the 3-0 home win over Ilkeston and while this performance may not have been as complete when you consider the defensive lapses, the overall control was more impressive when you consider how many senior figures have left in between those matches.

WHO STOOD OUT?

Where do you start?

The back three was pretty good with Sam Hall excelling in the middle.

Luke English was back to his best with Kaoui Attoumani and Chris Withington driving the team on from midfield.

The way Josh Willis linked up with Liam Lockett was almost telepathic and both had their best games in blue and white.

STAR MAN – LIAM LOCKETT

Absolutely unplayable.

Those trademark jinking runs unlocked Quorn time after time and even when he was fouled he usually carried on through.

His refusal to hit the deck when he felt a nibble or stray hand on his shirt in the box was refreshing and he deserves to be credited with two goals after wrongfooting Mitchell Tomlinson so much he diverted into his own net.

This kid is a special talent.

HOW THEY RATED

Quorn: Whitcombe 4, Gorman 6, Tomlinson 5, Dale 4.5 (Asri, 78, 5), Ball 4.5, Morris 4.5, Tonge 6, Maslen-Jones 5.5, Kolodynski 5 (Lovett, 61, 5), Hart 6, O'Neill 5.5 (Richmond, 82, 5). Unused sub: Lovett, Howard.

City: Gilder 7.5, English 8.5, McFarlane 7.5, Hall 7.5, Horton 7, Withington 8 (Keasey, 88, 6), Lockett 9.5*, Attoumani 8, Harrison 8 (Lemon, 83, 6), Lawrence 7.5 (Moran, 60, 5.5), Willis 8.5. Unused subs: Evans, Baldwin.

Referee: Robert Cairns, 7.

Attendance: 144.

Match rating: 8.