Jaden Williams’ first-half strike helped Colchester see off spirited Southern League Premier Central side Worcester City 1-0 and claim their first FA Cup win since 2021.

Worcester goalkeeper Cristiano Dzialuk denied both Moses Sesay and Oscar Thorn early on before Colchester took a 32nd-minute lead through Williams, who composed himself in the area before
firing home after Jack Payne had seen a shot blocked.

Colchester started the second half strongly and went close in the first two minutes after half-time through Williams’ first-time strike.

Just before the hour mark, Nathan Hayward steered a header narrowly wide for Worcester while, minutes later, Luke Rowe somehow missed the target from five yards following Liam Lockett’s low cross into the six-yard box.

Colchester pressed for a second and Kane Vincent-Young drilled a shot into the side netting before the hosts came even closer midway through the second half when Thorn’s header from Williams’ cross hit the underside of the bar, before Dzialuk made a fantastic reflex save to stop Thorn’s follow-up attempt from point-blank range.

Dzialuk denied both Payne and substitute Kaion Lisbie late on as Colchester went through.