Hellenic Premier: Worcester City thrash Wantage Town 8-0

Kyle Belmonte, Liam Lockett and a brace from Dylan Hart had the hosts 4-0 up at the break but goals from Izak Reid, Jamie Insall, Robbie Thompson-Brown and a second from Belmonte rounded off a comprehensive display from Chris Cornes' men to move within five points of Hellenic League Premier leaders Corsham Town.

One criticism of City this season has been there lack of clinical edge, but it was evident for all to see on Saturday as City scored at will from start to finish.

Hart rounded the keeper before stroking home in the 13th minute to open the scoring, before Belmonte powered home a header mid-way through the half to double their lead.

City were totally dominant by this point and looking capable of scoring every time they ventured forward and when winger Lockett nodded in a third, the game was all but secured.

Hart's header a couple of minutes before half-time added further gloss to the score before the break and it was a similarly ruthless display after the restart as City racked up a big score to send out a statement to the rest of the league.

Thompson-Brown's low finish from the edge of the box handed City a fifth just six minutes into the second period, shortly followed by Belmonte's second after Elliot Hartley's cut-back as the home side hit six.

Substitute Izak Reid raced through after a mix-up in defence to poke past Tommy Rees in the Wantage goal for the seventh and in the final ten minutes, Insall converted a penalty to complete the rout.

The result means City rise up into second in the table, five points - but with two games in hand -behind leaders Corsham Town, who beat Cinderford Town 5-0.

Worcester Raiders', who started the weekend in second, drew 0-0 at Brimscombe and Thrupp to give neighbours City the opportunity to leapfrog them.

Cornes' men are next in action on Tuesday night when they head to Tuffley Rovers for a 7.45PM kick-off.