LICHFIELD City suffered a New Year hangover as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Sutton Coldfield.
Reece Gibson’s 55th minute strike proved the difference as Ivor Green’s men returned empty-handed from the local derby encounter.
City’s preparations were hampered when they lost Leighton McMenemy in the warm-up and saw Sutton come out firing in the opening exchanges, with Brendon Bunn making a fine save to keep the scores level.
Another effort went wide from the home side as Lichfield were forced to defend a number of corners in the opening exchanges.
The City goal was living a charmed life as a flick on at the near post hit the woodwork while another effort struck the upright before half-time.
Josh Mansell had a shot deflected wide early in the second half as City looked to get a foothold in the game.
But it was Sutton who took a deserved lead ten minutes after the restart when Gibson steered home a low cross beyond Bunn.
Lichfield tried to hit back immediately, but Jack Edwards and Mansell both saw low drives saved by home keeper James Wren.
Sutton continued to threaten though with Bunn making a one-on-one save before another effort struck the crossbar.
At the other end, Wren was called into action to prevent Edwards levelling, while Tom Brown also fired into the side netting and City sub Connor Okereke’s header dropped wide of the target.
Both sides continued to trade chances before the final whistle with Bunn making two good low saves and Mansell heading over as Lichfield were unable to get anything from the game.
