Worcester City v Plymouth Argyle - Saturday 16th November 1978

A massive crowd of over 8,000 packed into St George's Lane on a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon to witness City's biggest FA Cup tie since 1959. Their opponents, Plymouth Argyle, then in Football League Division 3, were managed by Malcolm Allison, a flamboyant character who must have expected a easy passage into the next round for his star studded side. But City manager, Nobby Clarke, had other ideas and is quoted in the programme as saying "This is the best side I have put together" and few would argue with him as City demolished Allison's team.

City attacked the canal end in the first half and took a little while to get into their stride but no danger threatened when a Plymouth defender needlessly conceded a corner when it looked easier to clear upfield a harmless looking cross. That same defender was absent from his duties on the near post as a perfectly flighted corner found the head of Malcolm Phelps to give City a lead they never looked like surrendering.

City doubled their advantage late in the game as Lionel Martin, never one to take the easy path, insisted on beating Plymouth players with the crowing baying for him to launch the ball into or preferable over the Brookside stand. Jimmy Williams meanwhile took time off from drinking a cup of tea to fasten onto the end of the ball when Martin did decide to pass. An electrifying burst of speed took Williams to the edge of the penalty area but his shot struck the visiting keeper and flew up into the air. For a second it looked as though the chance was gone but Williams reacted first to stroke the ball past the despairing dive of the keeper and City had won by 2 goals to nil.

This programme is not expensive and for many years dozens of mint copies could by found on sale in the Supporters' Club shop.

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