Action from Lichfield City v Stafford Town. Pic: Mick Tyler
Action from Lichfield City v Stafford Town. Pic: Mick Tyler
Action from Lichfield City v Stafford Town. Pic: Mick Tyler

Lichfield City FC were finally back on league duty after a near two month break but they showed all of their battling qualities to secure a 3-2 triumph over Stafford Town.

Their ring rust might have showed in the opening period, but Paul Holt’s men found their stride to overturn a two-goal deficit during the second period.

The Brownsfield Park side have added new faces to their squad during the unscheduled winter break, and debutants Nick Harris and Kieron Mortiboys were both included in the line-up for this encounter.

But the early signs weren’t good for City has they struggled to retain possession in windy conditions. And they were made to pay as Stafford went in front on 20 minutes when Morgan Hurley defeated a sloppy offside trap, only to be brought down by keeper Craig Johnson. The Lichfield custodian was perhaps fortunate to escape with a yellow card, but the real punishment came as Hurley dusted himself down to score the penalty.

Things got worse for City when more poor marking at a set piece resulted in Alex Barnfather heading past Johnson.

Action from Lichfield City v Stafford Town. Pic: Mick Tyler
Action from Lichfield City v Stafford Town. Pic: Mick Tyler

If a shell-shocked Lichfield entered the dressing room at the break, a refreshed one emerged for the second period as a 25-yard volley from Leon Morgan deflected off Danny Worrall to leave Russell Todd in the visitors goal wrong-footed.

And it took just five more minutes for City to pull level when Morgan finished off a fine move involving Benn Minshull and Kyle Minto with a firmly struck shot.

The Lichfield recovery had clearly rattled Stafford and their hopes of re-establishing their grip on the game where hit when full back Joe Woodward received his marching orders for an off the ball incident.

City sensed the three points were there for the taking and they were duly secured when Minshull again played his part to tee up Liam Holt who slotted home from six yards.

Click below to see more of Mick Tyler’s pictures from the game:

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.