WORCESTER City booked their place in the final of the Worcestershire Senior Cup with a 2-0 victory away at local rivals Worcester Raiders.
First-half goals from Elliott Hartley and Zac Guinan sealed City’s place in the showpiece at Sixways Stadium.
City play one level above Raiders in the Northern Premier League Midlands division with the latter side plying their trade in the Hellenic League Premier Division.
Raiders almost made the perfect start when Manny Olaloko saw his effort from distance saved by City goalkeeper Haydn Whitcombe.
At the other end, Raiders stopper Charlie Emery denied Guinan in a lively start to the contest.
And Emery came to the home side’s rescue again soon after he produced a fine save to deny Guinan a second time from Logan Stoddart’s cutback.
However, City broke the deadlock on eight minutes as Hartley bundled Adam Mace’s cross over the line.
Raiders responded well to the setback and spurned a golden chance to draw level as Dan Cottrill blazed Jordan Murphy’s cross over the crossbar from six-yards out.
And the home side went close again soon after as Liam Banks fired a shot narrowly past the post.
City goalkeeper Whitcombe then claimed Banks’ dangerous ball across the box before keeping out Jake Collins’ shot.
However, the visitors doubled their lead against the run of play on 36 minutes when a free-kick landed at the feet of Guinan and the striker smashed the ball into the net.
Raiders searched for a route back into the game as Collins flicked a header inches past the post.
Chances were at a premium after the break in a scrappy second period.
However, Raiders wasted another opportunity to halve the deficit just past the hour mark with Cottrill unable to squeeze the ball home at the back post.
City looked to seal their place in the final with a third goal as Kyle Belmonte shot over from distance while Guinan fired a first time effort wide.
Raiders almost reduced the deficit late on as Whitcombe made a fine save to tip a powerful header over the crossbar.
However, City held on to book a final date with Southern League Premier Central side Alvechurch who are the current holders of the competition.
