LINE-UP Vics’ -
Lawlor, Bennett ( Hurst 77’), Jacaj, Gardiner, Clarke, Crane ( Exell 70’), Coughlan ( Gill 70’), Lloyd, Smith ( Parker 56’), Hughes, Hamm ( Johnson 70’)

GOALS - Lichfield City : Griffin 74’

Another match where Vics’ inability to take their chances cost them dear as Lichfield grabbed a goal to take all the points.

Vics made a storming start to the match, hitting the bar and post within the first five minutes. Firstly they earned a corner in the 3rd minute which was played back out to Matty Coughlan who crossed a good ball into the near post area where Kieran Hamm flicked the ball goalwards forcing City’s keeper James Beeson into a great reaction save. The ball fell back to Hamm and this time his shot rebounded off Beeson’s hip onto the bar and away for another corner. A great double save to be fair. Two minutes later, a great ball let Ben Crane in down the right and he raced into the area, fired a shot which beat Beeson but slammed against the left hand post. So close! Alex Hughes then curled an effort just over the bar in the 10th minute whilst up at the other end, Griffin went close with a chipped effort as Lichfield started getting into the match. Vics’ keeper Joe Lawlor then did well to get down to tip wide a 25 yard free kick which was creeping in at the near post . Lichfield’s best chance came in the 35th minute as the ball was played across the box for the onrushing Francis who had the whole of the goal to aim at but somehow skewed the ball wide from 10 yards out. A let off for Vics. Lawlor then saved well again from Griffin whilst in the final minute of the half, Will Lloyd put a great low cross in from the byline but there was no Vics player there to give it the tap in it deserved. An entertaining first half where Vics should have scored early whilst Lichfield came back strongly and had chances of their own.

HALF-TIME : Northwich Vics 0 Lichfield City 0

As in the first half , Vics had the first effort on goal with Alex Hughes picking up a poor clearance wide on the right , saw the keeper off his line and sent a first time chipped shot in which bounced just over the bar. Great thinking and great effort. Vics then showed their defensive qualities as Lichfield put a ball into the box , and bodies were put on the line as the ball ricocheted around with shots being blocked here, there and everywhere! Lichfield then curled a free kick onto the top of the net before they finally took the lead in the 74th minute. A long throw into the box failed to be cleared properly and fell to Callum Griffin on the edge of the box and his shot went through a mass of players into the net. Lichfield started slowing the match down now, as Vics struggled to create anything upfront whilst Lichfield had a chance to seal the match in the 89th minute when they were given a penalty as Liam Kirton dived to the ground in the area. The referee didn’t give it, and there were few appeals but the near side liner decided Kirton had been clipped and called the referee over and a penalty it was ! However justice was done as Lawlor superbly saved from Dan Lomas’s spot kick. Vics pressed hard for a late equaliser but it wasn’t to be.

FULL-TIME : Northwich Vics 0 Lichfield City 1

A hard working, fully committed display just lacking in that cutting edge. Lots of desire, lots of good points, it will come right.