WORCESTER City's pre-season kicked off with a 3-1 defeat against Alvechurch.

Played in blistering heat, the game at Lye Meadow saw several of City's summer acquisitions get their first run out as did two trialists.

Alvechurch had the better of the opening play and opened the scoring after a neat move down the right.

City keeper Dan Jezeph failed to hold onto a shot from near the penalty spot and the ball was headed home.

City pushed high and forced an error on 22 minutes when Marco Adaggio scored the equaliser.

Luke English pushed forward to force a defensive error which was saw the keeper's attempted clearance go straight to Adaggio whose cushioned volley looped into the empty net.

City matched their opponents for the rest of the half before making the first of many changes at half-time.

Alvechurch took the lead minutes after the re-start after Sam Hall gave away a penalty which saw Jezeph well beaten from the spot.

Both sides made several more changes before Alvechurch made it 3-1 on 62 minutes after a well worked move.

The game was a very good work out for City with the next scheduled for Tuesday 11th August at Stratford Town.

The Alvechurch game was the first of City's pre-season fixtures.

It will be followed by games against Stratford Town on August 11, Redditch Utd on August 15, Wolverhampton Casuals on August 18, Wellington on August 22, Wolverhampton Casuals again on August 24 and Malvern Town on August 29.