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Lichfield return with three points in scrappy fixture!

January 16 2010 | Mens 1st XI vs Telford | 3-2 Win

With heavy snow all over the country in the week, Lichfield were one of few still able to keep the first game back on after 6 weeks off, thankful to those who contributed their time with clearing the pitch. With no training in the week due to weather it meant the team meeting up at 9:30 in the morning of the game, just to remember how a ball felt on the end of a stick.

The game got under way, at a quick but scrappy pace, with both sides struggling to string four passes together, without there being a turn over, this was expected with having the six weeks off over Christmas. The first chance fell to Lichfield with a short corner, which was quickly closed down by Telford’s number one runner and deflected back in to Paul Campbell’s reach, who on the dive, struck the ball hard and clean but in to the roof of the net, however the umpire disallowed this great chance for Lichfield.

The tables then turning with the game still intact for both teams and keeping its scrappy form. It was Telford though who had the next chance, with a break through Lichfield’s midfield and defence, to lack of good marking, Telford then ended up with their striker, alone with Lichfield’s goalkeeper who put the ball hard in to the bottom corner of the goal.  Lichfield were now behind, and needing a goal. Luckily a chance fell shortly after Telford’s opener, from good build up down the right flank through Neil Crithchley and the pace of Will Rodgers, finding the captain Simon Rodgers at the top right of the D who’s first touch was incredulous to put in front of him, away from the defender and struck the ball across the goal, which found the bottom left corner. This was by far the best piece of hockey in the first half.

Halftime was then here, with both teams knowing this game was going to go down to who really wanted it most. The second half started with Lichfield’s coach changing the formation to 4-3-3, hoping to push on and score more. This worked almost instantly as within the first ten minutes, Will Davies showed his vision and ability to move the ball quickly in to the inside right channel, where the returned Ali Gardiner through some tight skill and a measured through ball found the advancing Will Rodgers who narrowly missed the goal. Lichfield continued to mount the pressure and resultantly took the lead through a penalty flick, which was subsequently converted by Neil Billingham into the top left hand corner of the goal.

As the game went on and the players got tired the play was more open and a better spectacle for the spectators. However from a string of several short corners, Telford drew level through a routine which was saw the ball squeezed over the line and into the net. Shouts were for the players of both sides to dig deep and it was Lichfield who seemed to find that extra 10% needed to push on for the three points. A ball was played to Adrian Gilbert at the top of the D who turned the keeper cleverly, only for the keeper to bring him down and deny him a certain scoring chance much to the annoyance of top scorer Gilbert. Again, fortunately a flick was given and almost as expected Neil Billingham converted the flick, this time to the top right hand corner of the goal, with a certain ease only brought upon by years of experience.

Lichfield hung on and picked up an important three points which continues their impressive form in the league to regain second place.

Goal Scorers

Team