JAMES Lemon’s double either side of an own goal and blockbusters from George Forsyth and Aaron Basford saw 10-man Worcester City waltz past Studley 5-0.

AS IT HAPPENED: City 5 Studley 0

The Midland Football League Cup third round tie was not all plain sailing, though, with Dale Edwards hitting the crossbar and Tom Fishwick surviving calls for an early red card after he brought down Shay Palmer as he darted towards goal.

City led on 21 minutes when Lemon took a well-weighted pass in his stride before guiding around keeper Tom Hayward.

Captain Jordan Stoddart saw red when referee Jake Allsopp deemed he had denied Dan Carter an obvious goalscoring opportunity in a tangle on the right edge of the box in the 26th minute.

Studley enjoyed a brief flurry of pressure but got dealt a killer blow in added time at the end of the first half when Palmer diverted a Josh Willis free-kick from the right into his own net.

Lemon started and finished an incisive break for the third, playing a one-two with Ethan Moran before steering low around Hayward from 18 yards on the hour.

George Forsyth, introduced as a substitute after Stoddart’s dismissal, curled home a delightful free-kick with 19 minutes to go with Aaron Basford cutting inside from the left and unleashing the goal of night late on, a swerving shot across goal that nestled in the top far corner.

We tackle the big talking points from an eventful night at The Beehive.

RED CALLS THE WRONG WAY AROUND?

Stoddart was adamant there was little in his coming together with Carter and those on the sidelines for both clubs found it hard to disagree.

Having given the foul, man-in-the-middle Allsopp had little choice to brandish the red card but perhaps a previous incident was on his mind.

Fishwick caught Palmer in full flight heading towards goal and in more cynical fashion.

Only Allsopp knows how much the timing of that 12th-minute flashpoint or the 30-yard distance from goal played a part in his thinking but the feeling was Fishwick had been fortunate.

TACTICAL NOUS

Forsyth, who had not been included in the 16 until Kyonn Evans picked up a pre-match injury, was summoned from the bench as soon as Stoddart went off and City’s management played the situation to perfection.

Sticking with three at the back and two central midfielders in front worked a treat with a hard-working trio behind Lemon providing protection without the ball and, just as importantly, punch with it.

Such a young City side needed that leadership and bringing in Forsyth was the right call. At no point could you tell which team had 10 men.

ZESTY LEMON

Studley caused a few problems either side of the red card and Lemon’s tenacity and sharp play helped swing the pendulum.

Every time the ball dropped in front of the opposing back four he was there, darting straight towards goal.

The opening goal seemed to unlock the belief he built up at Droitwich and his desire to play on the front foot created options for the three supporting him.

A HARSH SCORELINE?

You could understand Studley feeling hard done by after competing well enough for 45 minutes but then it would be just as harsh to take anything away from City.

A three-goal margin after an hour was fair enough and the two goals that completed the scoring were top-drawer strikes.

As the goals went in, spirit drained from one side and was gleefully gathered by the other.

City kept going and earned every plaudit. That cannot be questioned, even if the balance of the game was not what you would expect from a 5-0.

WHAT NOW?

City made nine changes and put on one of the displays of the season – certainly the best in recent weeks.

So many staked strong claims for a shirt on Saturday but would sticking with all or most of this much-changed side be the right move?

There will be sterner tests than a Studley side not at its best but some of the standout performers no doubt gave John Snape food for thought.

MATCH FACTS

MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP ROUND THREE: Worcester City 5 (Lemon 21, 60, Palmer OG 45+2, Forsyth 71, Basford 82) Studley 0

City: Gwynne 7, Fishwick 7, Caines 8, Attoumani 8, Stoddart 3, Willis 8 (Withington, 61, 7), Clark 7, Basford 8, LEMON 9* (C Walker, 61, 7), Lawrence 6 (Forsyth, 29, 8), Moran 8. Unused subs: English, Lockett.

Studley: Hayward 4, J Walker 6, M Edwards 6 (Chambers, 61, 5), Fitter 4 (Dave Edwards, h-t, 5), Clarke 5, Roche 5, Palmer 5, Agar 6, Carter 6, Dale Edwards 6, Jones 6. Unused subs: Adams, Bunn, Blake.

Referee: Jake Allsopp, 6.

Match rating: 8.