Grantham Town lose to Worcester City in the Northern Premier League

Paul Rawden admitted the gulf in quality and resources was on show as Grantham Town went down to a heavy away defeat on Saturday.

The Gingerbreads were beaten 5-0 away at Worcester City in their Northern Premier League Midlands Division match.

Their second-placed hosts scored four times in the opening period before adding a fifth goal after the break to leave Grantham eight points adrift of safety.

Rawden said: "We can't sugar-coat it because it was a really thorough defeat.

"There was a mile of difference between them and us.

"If you are going to come to a side who are doing really well in the league then you need all of your players performing at the top end of their ability.

"I don't think that, collectively or individually, we had anyone who won their individual battles.

"We sat off too much, didn't press people and allowed them too much time. There isn't many positive things for us to take from the game and the players know that.

"It shows the gulf in quality and resources. They were disappointed to only get a crowd of 600 and we would love to get something like that at the Meres."

Brad Munns returned to the Grantham line-up following injury while 16-year-old youth team protege Aston Taylor was named on the substitutes' bench.

The Gingerbreads fell behind within a minute as Adam Mace's cross found Felix Miles who volleyed home the opening goal.

Grantham responded well but were victims of their downfall midway through the first half when Worcester extended their lead.

Goalkeeper Curtis Hall smashed a clearance against his own defender and the ball fell for Kyle Belmonte to double City's advantage.

Worcester had another effort ruled out for a foul on Hall before scoring twice more in the final minutes of the half.

Belmonte smashed home the third goal two minutes before the break before Zach Guinan headed home a Mace cross at the back post on the stroke of half-time.

Grantham made two changes at the break with Adbul Koroma and Leke Shodunke replacing Munns and Luke Horne,

Worcester continued to threaten with a last-ditch challenge thwarting Elliott Hartley while Hall tipped over a shot from Jordan Lymn.

The hosts wrapped up the win in the 79th minute when Hartley was bundled over in the area and Belmonte completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

Rawden added: "It didn't help conceding in the first minute but I thought we then started to grow into the game a little bit in the first half.

"We lost possession for the second goal and, when you're down there, that sort of luck goes against you.

"I take nothing away from Worcester because they went down the hill and really took us to the sword."

Grantham are without a game on Saturday as they were due to face Walsall Wood who have withdrawn from the league. Their next game is at home to Long Eaton on Boxing Day.

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