Pete Tonge delves into Northwich Victoria’s 6-0 defeat at Lichfield City…

 

A MATCH where Lichfield were quick, neat and clinical but Vics have actually played worse and got something out of a game.

Vics were the better team for half an hour of the first half but went in two goals down.

And ultimately it was a demoralising away day for Vics who now have some big matches coming up as they battle to stay out of the relegation spots.

Lichfield took the lead in the 10th minute with their first attack of note when Joe Haines' cross was deflected to Cameron Dunn whose shot was blocked but fell to Dan Smith who slotted home from 10 yards out.

Vics responded well to this setback, playing some decent football of their own and were unlucky after 21 minutes when Sam Unwin skinned the full-back and clipped a shot which was brilliantly tipped onto the far post by James Beeson in the City net.

A few minutes later, another great chance for Vics as Brandon Barski played a wonderful ball through for Max Chimenes to run onto, but he hesitated and his touch was blocked by the keeper.

It was a good entertaining match now with both teams playing good flowing football.

Vics keeper Adam Reid made a good save from Haines after he linked up well with Smith but City did extend their lead in the 35th minute with a goal of great vision and skill from Dunn.

He chased onto a long ball down into the left side of the area, spotted Reid off his line and sent a beautiful chip over his head into the goal from the angle.

Reid then turned a Liam Kirton shot away for a corner which was headed over by Smith as Lichfield looked to add to their lead.

They went even closer in the last minute of the half when a cross from Jack Edwards floated onto the bar and over.

A first half where Vics were the better team for half an hour but went in 2 goals down !

Any hopes of Vics getting back into the match were extinguished early in the second half with a wonder strike from 25 yards out from Smith, which flew into the back of the net with Reid having no chance.

It was 4-0 just five minutes later. Reid saved well from a Kirton effort and Vics had several chances to clear properly from the resultant corner before the ball fell to Clement 10 yards out who slotted the ball into the net.

Vics' only real chance of the second half then fell to Callum Parker when Matty Clarke set him one-on-one with a great ball, but Beeson did well to divert his shot around the post for a corner.

Lichfield then rubbed salt into Vics' wounds twice in the last 10 minutes.

Firstly Dunn somehow managed to score despite being well tackled and sent to the floor by Sam Langford  just inside the area, but still managed to stretch out a leg and strike the ball past Reid into the net from a prone position.

Then Clement got his second as he struck a shot from 20 yards into the corner of the net.

Match facts:

Lichfield City 6 Northwich Victoria 0

Midland League Premier

Saturday February 3, 2024

At The Trade Tyre Community Stadium

Vics: Reid, Camozzi (Ogundare), Barski, Allen, Langford, Farmer (Lynch), McWilliams (Gough), Switters (Parker), Clarke, Unwin ( Fisher), Chimenes.

Goals: Lichfield City: Smith 10', 55', Dunn 35', 80', Clement 60', 85'

Next matches: Tuesday, league, away v Highgate United, 8pm. Saturday, league, home v Stone Old Alleynians at Barton Stadium, Winsford, 3pm