Leicester Road FC v Lichfield City FC Saturday 22nd August 2015 - (AWAY)

A late rally from Leicester Road producing two goals wasn't to be enough in what was a hard fought contest away at Lichfield City FC.

The early exchanges found Leicester Road find their feet the quickest, with some lovely passing and movement that frustrated the home side and when James Hicks was put clear through on goal in the 9th minute, he looked destined to open the scoring, but as the keeper came out, Hicks made a decision to take his shot early, but his attempt missed the target, going over the bar for a goal kick.
Lichfield then started to turn the screw with their direct approach, playing the ball deep into the Leicester Road half at every opportunity looking to gain second ball, but although this was effective to a degree with gaining corners and throw-ins allowing for more entries into the penalty area, Leicester Road defended well as a team.
The first half was to change in the space of sixty seconds, when in the 28th minute Hicks found himself in the six yard box with the ball at his feet and although initially he had his back to goal, he pivoted to make an opening to shoot, but the connection on his attempt allowed the keeper to rebalance and the shot was cleared. This allowed Lichfield to a quick counter attack with a long ball forward and as the forward reached the edge of the penalty area he unleashed a shot that the referee adjudged hit the arm of Callum Riley and awarded a penalty. This was to be calmly slotted home from 12yds sending the helpless Will Highland the wrong way. 1-0 Lichfield.

The remainder of the first period was to be much the same with the only real action being some feisty tackles.

H/T Lichfield FC 1-0 LRFC

The second half started as the first half had and the game adopted the same pattern with Lichfield continuing with their direct approach, and it was from this that the home sides second goal came when a defending header cleared the back line of the Leicester Road defence creating a foot race with the Lichfield forward who managed to barge his way in front of Josh Smith and as they entered the penalty area, the forward was bundled over for the second penalty of the game. However, the referee only decided to hand out a yellow card to Smith and from the penalty spot, Will Highland was again sent the wrong way. 2-0 Lichfield

Five minutes later Lichfield made it 3-0 when good work down the Left ended with a cross come shot that Highland did well to block, but unfortunately he parried it onto the recovering run of Callum Riley and rebounded into the net. 3-0 Lichfield.

It was at this time that you would be forgiven in thinking that it wasn't to be your day. But with one last throw of the dice, came a tactical change with Leicester Road converting to a back 3 allowing for more players in advanced forward positions, and with this came two late strikes that rattled the home side, when firstly Amarvir Sandhu collecting the ball from the right hand side taking a touch infield before unleashing a thunderbolt into the top right hand corner of the net. 3-1 Lichfield.
With 2 minutes of normal time remaining, it was Sandhu again who collected the ball just inside the Lichfield half and with a positive first touch he drove forward before trying his luck again from 25 yards which the Lichfield goal keeper seemed to misjudge leaving the ball to sneak inside the post. 3-2 Lichfield.
I think it fair to say that Leicester Road now chucked everything possible at Lichfield, but they were to hold firm to record the win, and on reflection over the 90 minutes were deserving of the 3 points.

Final score: Lichfield FC 3-2 LRFC