Lichfield City FC enjoyed a perfect start to life on their new 3G pitch as they collected a league cup win against Rocester.

An even opening saw the game spring to life on ten minutes when Dave Langston’s men broke the deadlock as Dan McLeod’s diagonal ball was superbly volleyed home by Jordan Evans.

Things got even better for City 15 minutes later as they doubled their advantage when Tom Green broke the offside trap before calmly lifting the ball over the keeper.

Dan Thurstance went close to adding a third before Rocester spurned their first chance of the evening by sending a close range effort wide of the target with ten minutes left of the opening period.

But the visitors did cut the deficit before the break when a long throw in caused uncertainty in the Lichfield box and the ball was volleyed home by Rob Ritchie-Smith.

The goal gave Rocester a boost and they started the second period on top with Tom Brown testing the keeper before Harry Lansdowne sent a header wide.

Lichfield began to find their feet and could have restored their two-goal cushion when Jordan Evans fired over.

Osiris Robertson thought he’d added City’s third on the hour, but saw his effort strike the crossbar.

It looked as though the failure to restore the two-goal advantage could prove costly with five minutes remaining as Callum Riddell found himself with a great opportunity to level, but Lichfield keeper Jon Clough was on hand to keep his side in front.

Rocester’s attempts to grab an equaliser weren’t complete though as two injury time corners both found the head of Lansdowne, but he was unable to beat Clough with either.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.