Midland League, Premier Division, 30-08-2021
Trade Tyre Community Stadium, Brownsfield Rd, Lichfield WS13 6AY
This Bank Holiday Monday sees the first match report of my brand new Blog. It's a local derby and a top of the table clash between the 3rd placed hosts of Lichfield City against the table topping visitors of Boldmere St.Michaels.
I made my way by train to Lichfield and the city centre is a buzz of activity with plenty of market stalls providing mainly an assortment of food and drink and some activities for the kids.
After I have had a nice lunch of scampi and chips at the welcoming Fountain pub in Beacon Street I make my way through the crowds and take about 20-25 minutes walking to Lichfield's ground in Brownsfield Road. The club have put in artificial pitch since my last visit here 8 years ago when I attended a Presidents Cup Final between the now defunct Phoenix United and Cadbury Athletic.
I have been impressed by the recent wins of Lichfield that featured on the 'Brooksy TV' channel on You Tube, especially their excellent away FA Cup win at Evesham United. I think they will push 'The Mikes' all the way today.
I had to rush to get to the ground on time and in the process I forget to ask for a programme when I part with my entrance fee. I did manage to remember to ask for a club badge for £3, from behind the Bar. Number 47 in my growing collection.
The teams are playing in their usual colours of Lichfield City in all blue while Boldmere are in their black and white kit.
For the first 10 minutes the play is pretty even but then City start to get the upper hand and their No.4 fires over the bar after some sustained pressure. They create another chance when their No.8 breaks down the left and provides a pass inside for a team mate to again shoot over the bar.
Boldmere are still dangerous though and the Lichfield keeper has to make a block from one of their forwards.
So there has been plenty of effort from both sides but it's still 0-0. The home side have been the more dangerous so far and anything can happen in the next 45 minutes.
Lichfield are the first to score in the 52nd minute when their No.7, Jack Edwards cuts across the Boldmere goal to the left and then guides the ball in to the opposite side of the net. A classy goal to break the deadlock!
For the last 30 minutes, there is increasing pressure from the visitors and they make 3 substitutions during this time. In the 71st minute, Boldmere think they have equalised when their No. 14 bundles the ball home from close range but the linesman flags for handball.
Of course with no VAR system there are protests from some of the Boldmere players and coaching staff but to no avail, the linesman's decision stands.
To their credit, Boldmere intensify their efforts for the equaliser but on occasion this leaves them open to the counter-attack, especially from a Lichfield substitute, their lanky No.16, going on probing runs on the right flank. The closest he gets to increasing City's lead happens when he chips the ball over the bar as the keeper rushes out.
It's mostly one way traffic after this and in the 90th minute, the Mikes No. 15, Isaac Phillips bursts through to score with the Lichfield keeper out of position.
It is a fair result in the end although I suspect that Lichfield City might not agree with that. It's been an intense, hard fought local derby that has been a treat for the Bank Holiday crowd.
City now have their FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round match at home, next Saturday v Nuneaton Borough, with the game being televised as well! A tough task but with some quality players, like full-back Luke Childs and the forward, Jack Edwards, Lichfield have a chance of springing an upset.
Match entrance fee : £3 (concession)
Match programme : not obtained (if any were issued ?)
Attendance: 187
Match entertainment value : 8/10
No comments:
Post a Comment