There was no celebration for Lichfield City FC as they were beaten 4-0 in the final of the Staffordshire Vase.

Gary Birch’s men were hoping to lift the trophy but found local rivals Heath Hayes too tough a nut to crack.

Lichfield failed to get a foothold in the opening stages of the first half and found themselves behind when Dimitri Dunkley struck.

The goal seemed to stir City into life with Michael Taylor hitting the woodwork.

But Heath Hayes showed they were always likely to be a threat as they saw an effort scrambled off the line.

Striker Tony Clarke saw a strike saved and Martin Crawford fired wide as Lichfield failed to find a leveller before the half-time whistle.

They were left to rue those missed chances as Jack Arrowsmith netted within four minutes of the restart.

It was game over just two minutes later when Jack Patridge rifled home from 25 yards out.

Heath Hayes continued to carve out the better openings and wrapped up a 4-0 triumph when a sweet Joe Pickering strike found the Lichfield net on 83 minutes.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.