17 September 2026 · Worcester City (a) · Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Bards Exit FA Cup as Worcester City Come From Behind to Win 2-1
Stratford Town's FA Cup second qualifying round run ended in defeat at Six Ways Stadium on Friday evening, as Worcester City overturned a Kobe Hall opener to win 2-1 and end the Bards' best run in the competition for around three years.
The nearest the Bards came to rescuing the tie was a Kory Roberts volley that struck the post from a Reece Flanagan corner early in the second half, arriving moments after Worcester had levelled — a chance that, had it gone in, would have swung the tie back decisively in Stratford's favour.
The Bards had controlled large passages of the first half and went in ahead at the break through Hall's close-range finish, but a single error — Finley Brennan's stray cross handed Worcester possession inside their own half — directly led to the equaliser, and the hosts added a second within minutes to take a lead the Bards could not claw back despite sustained late pressure. For long stretches, particularly through McKauley Manning, Jack Storer and a lively Hall, the Bards carried a threat that deserved more; it was the ten minutes either side of the hour that undid them.
Key moments
- 1.Worcester City's second goal, around the 68th minute, proved the decisive blow. A cross from the right found Charlie Lutz unmarked in the six-yard box, and his header gave Jake Weaver no chance — Stratford Town 2-1 down after Lutz had also converted the equaliser minutes earlier.
- 2.Kobe Hall opened the scoring (43'). Lafferty's ball was swung into the box towards Mitford, the Worcester defence lost their shape, and Hall was quickest to the loose ball inside the six-yard box, finishing first time past the keeper to send the Bards in ahead at the break.
- 3.Worcester City's equaliser (60') came straight from a Stratford error. Brennan's cross went directly to the keeper, who released the ball quickly; Worcester broke down their right, McLean delivered with pace, and a stooping header at the back post levelled the match.
- 4.Kory Roberts rattled the side of the post with a volley from a Flanagan corner early in the second half — the clearest chance the Bards fashioned after the break to extend their lead before Worcester took over.
- 5.McKauley Manning's one-time shot in the 32nd minute struck the bottom of the post with the keeper beaten, the best opportunity of a first half in which the Bards threatened repeatedly through good combination play across the final third.
Hall was excellent throughout his time on the pitch — his hold-up play, distribution and pressing all drew comment — and his withdrawal for Owen James at (59') changed the dynamic up front at a difficult moment. The double change at (73'), bringing Dennis Halladie on for Mitford and Dan Vann for Brennan, gave the Bards fresh legs in the closing stages and they pushed hard, but Worcester defended the lead to the end; the Worcester City manager was dismissed from the touchline late on without altering the outcome. Attention now turns to Tuesday night at the Arden Garages, where Bromsgrove Sporting visit in the league.
Six Ways Stadium · Att: 784 · Referee: Tom Derno · FA Cup Second Qualifying Round