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Lewis Regime Ends in Victory

December 10 2011 | Mens 2nd XI vs Melton | 4-2 Win

Melton 2 – 4 Lichfield

Lichfield Men’s 2ndXI made the long trip to Melton for their final match of this half of the season, and were pleased to have made the effort. In  the last match before player-manager Lewis moves to Leeds, he saw his charges make the most of some tricky conditions to secure all three points and reach the mid-season break in the second promotion sport.

In what was an emotional day for Lewis, he asked his team to give their all and give him a good send off, and they duly obliged. The scoring was opened by young Martin Clarke midway through the first half, a strong run down the left side into the ‘D’ gave him space to slot home a low finish on his reverse stick. This calmed the game, and Steven Bailey soon added to the tally, continuing his good run of form.

Lichfield defended well, a new central defensive partnership of Todd Humphries and Ifan Jackson looked confident and were well supported by experienced full backs ex-international Baldwyn and Lewis. Melton managed to create some opportunities, but anything that got past the spine was dealt with ably by ‘keeper Hilton.

In the second half, Lichfield continued to press, but the frozen pitch and tricky conditions meant the usual samba-style hockey wasn’t always possible. However, Glenn Humphries notched a Lichfield third from a penalty corner, and Bailey grabbed his second, flicking the ball home following a goalmouth scramble.

Lichfield seemed to relax at this point, and the consequences of the change in concentration levels saw the home team grab two late consolation goals, neither of which saw anyone on the Lichfield team cover themselves in glory. Lewis nearly ended the match on the sidelines, following a foul-mouthed outburst at the Melton skipper following some poor gamesmanship, but was sufficiently restrained by his teammates, for once not setting a good example to the younger members of the team. Nonetheless, the three points had been sealed, and Lichfield moved back to second the 2ndTeam Ener-G Midlands Division 1.

In the post-match press conference Lewis thanked his team and the Lichfield club: “I would like to place on record my thanks to all the people at Lichfield Hockey Club for their contribution, making my job as Captain much easier. I’d also say that the future of the club is bright with lots of promising young players coming through, supported well by experienced players. I wish all teams the best for the remainder of the season”.

Baldwyn and Clarke have been placed in dual caretaker roles and will look to maintain the current position in the table with the aim of promotion at the end of the year.

Thanks to the umpires and supporters. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Goal Scorers

Steven Bailey (2)
Martin Clarke (1)
Glenn Humphries (1)

Team

Paul Baldwyn (C)
Matthew Astle
Josh Roughley
Jo Nightingale
Neal Critchley
Robbie Gleeson
Neil Billingham
Steven Bailey
Todd Humphries
Jack Childs
Martin Clarke
Glenn Humphries
Will Backhouse
Will Rogers
Ifan Jackson
Chris Brougham
Ben George
Sam Greenbank
Steven Churchill
Ollie Bowen
Tom Bacon
Paul Lewis
Martin Webb
Angus Turner
Andy Parker
Harry Carpenter
David Humpage