Lichfield City FC. Pic: Mick Tyler

Lichfield City FC romped to their biggest win of the season in a game they dominated from start to finish and could have won by a far greater margin.

Boss Paul Holt made just the one change from his side’s brave performance against Earlswood with Leon Morgan coming in for Dexter Ravenhill.

After a quiet opening ten minutes it was City who created the first opening a fine run and cross from Liam Holt saw Kyle Minto just fail to connect from six yards.

The deadlock was broken on 25 minutes when Jordan Hunt’s pass sent Olly Budd clear and he finished past Marcus Shaw in the Castle Vale goal.

Liam Holt
Liam Holt

The opener gave Lichfield the taste for more and one duly arrived five minutes before the break when Morgan’s work put Liam Holt through but this time keeper Shaw hauled down the City man, who dusted himself down to fire home the resulting penalty.

But the first half scoring wasn’t complete as just a minute later it was 3-0 when Minto capitalised on some hesitant defending before sending a strike past Shaw.

The second half saw a similar pattern to the first with the hosts creating a number of chances to extend their lead but at times woeful finishing was to blame, with Dan Thurstance, Jon Huckfield and Minto all spurning good opportunities.

It wasn’t until injury time was approaching that City finally added the fourth goal that their dominance deserved. Good work from Richard Deavall and Minto teed up Thurstance to slot home, only for the referee to pull play back and award the home side a penalty for an infringement that the assistant had spotted. But it was only a brief respite for Castle Vale as Holt smashed in his second of the game and sixth of the season to finish off a strong performance.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.