The FA Cup

Lichfield City FC’s hopes of an extended run in the FA Cup were dashed by Coventry United.

Dave Langston’s men knew they faced a tough test against last season’s Midland Football League Division One champions – and their hopes weren’t helped when influential midfielder Liam Holt was forced off with an early injury.

Coventry were first to strike when Josh O’Grady found the net just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark.

The goal gave the hosts confidence and they soon began to dominate proceedings, with two Dan McLeod blocks preventing them from doubling their advantage.

Lichfield began to find their way into the game as the half wore on and the travelling side will have been happy to go into the break just the one goal behind.

The second period saw renewed hope of a leveller and Lewis Bourne tested the keeper with a free-kick.

But Coventry were still posing a considerable threat and City keeper Amrick Virdee was able to breathe a sigh of relief when his clearance rebounded over off an attacker and over the bar.

The hosts had a penalty shout waved away before Matt Brown eventually netted their second goal after tapping home a rebound after Virdee had saved.

Despite seeing the home side have the best of the action, Lichfield managed to find a way back into the game when Craig Marshall’s free-kick found the back of the net.

Any hopes of forcing a replay were dashed when Muzzy Nduna slotted home under Virdee, before O’Grady scored his second to make it 4-1.

Ruthless Coventry weren’t finished though as Kevin Thornton netted from the penalty spot after Chris Bull’s foul to leave Lichfield on the wrong end of a 5-1 scoreline and out of the FA Cup.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.