Lichfield City FC’s interest in the league cup is over after a defeat against Heather St Johns.

The home side found themselves behind early on as Shane Benjamin found space on the edge of the box before firing left-footed past City keeper Jon Clough.

Dan Thurstance sent an effort wide as Lichfield went in search of a leveller, but Clough also had to be alert at the other end as a quick break saw Heather almost double their advantage.

Both sides were enjoying half-chances in an end-to-end encounter, with Daniel Griffiths sending a strike wide, while Ben Lund saw his shot blocked.

Clough was at full stretch to turn a free kick away in a lively first half.

Academy graduate Joe Speck was having another encouraging game in midfielder and his jinking run created another opportunity for Griffiths who saw his effort well saved.

Jordan Hunt also went close to an equaliser when his strike went narrowly wide of the upright just before the break.

Lichfield continued to press at the start of the second half, with Tom Howard’s 25-yard drive turned around the post by the keeper.

Clough was also alert in the home goal to pull off a good save to deny Heather St Johns after a quick break.

The speed of the visiting attacks was always a threat and they proved their point with a loose ball quickly finding its way to an attacker who slotted past Clough.

Debutant Jordan Lewis almost reduced the deficit with a far post header that was smuggled away for a corner. But the resulting set piece saw Charlie Jones prod home from six yards out.

But any hope of a comeback was snuffed out shortly afterwards as Heather St Johns worked another move well down the left to make it 3-1.

Lewis was clearly keen to make an impression and showed neat feet before testing the keeper with a good strike, but it wasn’t to be as City bowed out of the competition.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.