Lichfield City FC’s second string concluded there pre-season with a well deserved victory over their higher league opponents Tipton Town.
The visitors raced out of the blocks and were a goal up inside 20 seconds when a through ball from Matty Gough was cleverly turned into the path of the on-running Jason Hewitt by Olly Budd, Hewitt keeping his composure to finish in style.
City were full of confidence kept up the early pressure, Danny Reeves denied by an excellent save by the home keeper and Budd going close from long range.
The hosts gradually made their way back into the game, but found Lichfield’s defence a tough nut to crack, with Skipper Tom Gibson and fellow centre half Reeves looking composed, while 17-year-old youth team keeper Sam Russen was assured behind his back-line.
City doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time when the excellent Gough found Budd who, with plenty to do, flicked the ball up to smash it past the stranded home keeper from 25 yards.
The second half was a game of few opportunities, with Lichfield weathering an early storm and occasionally catching the hosts on the break, Hewitt again going close.
City comfortably held on for the win to bring an end to a productive pre-season campaign with manager Paul Holt confident of a succesful season ahead. He said:
“The lads have really put the effort in during pre-season and have been rewarded with some succesfull results. Last week’s win against Chasetown was particully pleasing, but that will count for nothing if we don’t perform against Northfield next week in our opening league game.
“The pleasing thing is that we have a crop of youngsters who will be knocking on the first team door soon which is what a reserve side is all about.”
City’s second string league campaign gets underway on Saturday (August 20) with a home tie against Northfield Town at Brownsfield Park, kick-off 3pm.
Elsewhere, Lichfield City’s first team picked up a 4-1 league victory against Glades Sporting.
