AN EARLY goal from Harry Burns saw Worcester City return to winning ways with a 1-0 victory against struggling Royston Town.
Burns scored the game’s only goal after just six minutes at Sixways Stadium as Chris Cornes’ side ended a run of successive defeats.
And the result means Worcester sit ninth in the Southern League Premier Central table just four points outside of the play-off places.
The home side made a fast start as Jordan Lymn delivered a high hanging cross into the box and Liam Lockett saw his effort deflect into the hands of Royston goalkeeper Reuben Rabstein.
And Worcester broke the deadlock after just six minutes when Burns rose highest to meet Felix Miles’ free-kick and head the ball into the bottom right corner from six-yards out.
Royston looked to respond soon after as Kian Harness failed to direct Archie Locke’s cross on target from close range.
City tested Rabstein in the Royston goal at the other end as the visiting keeper comfortably claimed Nathan Hayward’s tame effort from the edge of the penalty area.
The teams continued to trade chances when Will St Clair-Burton controlled a loose ball and shot straight at Harley Price under pressure.
Royston went close again soon after as Price sprung low down to his right to hold James Brighton’s driven effort from distance.
And the home side spurned a golden chance to double their lead when Lockett raced onto a ball in-behind the Royston defence but could only find the side netting from a tight angle.
The visitors forced Price into a smart save after the break as the City stopper kept out Reece Nicholas-Davies’ powerful effort after he cut in from the right.
And Ollie Stephenson then drove a shot across the face of goal following a well-worked move down the right.
At the other end, Lockett saw his backwards header cleared off the line by Anton Matthews before Royston hooked the ball to safety.
The closest Royston came to an equaliser saw Price make a crucial acrobatic stop to keep out Brighton’s swerving effort from distance as City held on to take the points.
Worcester are next in action against Pershore Town in the Worcestershire Senior Cup on Tuesday, December 2 with kick-off at 7.45pm at Sixways.
