LINE-UP Vics’ -
Prior, Cairns, Jacaj, Gardiner ( Gamble 45’), Farnworth ( Addai 73’), Argent-Barnes, Clarke, Gill, Lloyd, Deering ( Sodhi 82’), Knight C ( Hamm 55’)

GOALS : Lichfield City : Spiers 15’, Wilcock 20’, Griffin 53’

A match where Vics never got going and rarely threatened to upset league leaders Lichfield City.
Lichfield set the tone for the match early forcing 2 corners in the first 5 minutes and then forcing young keeper Zac Prior into an impressive low save in the 9th minute. Prior was again in the action after 15 minutes when he made a great save from a powerful Jack Edwards shot but the ball fell to Jamie Spiers who turned the rebound into the net. They went further ahead 5 minutes later as a long ball found Edwards down the left who turned his man, and laid the ball across, the first shot from Griffin was blocked but the ball fell to James Wilcock who absolutely hammered the ball past Prior from 16 yards giving him no chance. Vics were hardly getting out of their own half and were fortunate in the 31st minute when Lichfield were again one on one but Griffin put the ball past the post. Vics were then indebted to Prior in net again just before half time, when he first pushed away a firm header and then made an even better save superbly with his legs to keep out a little flick from Spiers.
Vics had little to show from the first half.

HALF-TIME : Lichfield City 2 Northwich Vics 0
Lichfield quickly made the game safe in the 54th minute as a defensive error led to Griffin being one on one with Prior and he cleverly chipped the ball over him into the net. Vics were at last showing some attacking intent as Will Lloyd and Sam Deering linked up well but his dangerous low cross was well cleared. It was still Lichfield though who were looking the more likely to add to their lead, and the impressive Prior made another fine save as he dived low to his left to push away a shot which was heading for the far corner midway through the half. It wasn’t until the last minute that Vics produced their best ( and maybe their only ) move of the match as Argent-Barnes raced down the left and swung a superb cross in for Matty Clarke to powerfully head into the net, but unfortunately the liner ruled him offside, though it must have been very close!

FULL-TIME : Lichfield City 3 Northwich Vics 0

A disappointing display from the Vics after three successive wins, but credit must go to Lichfield for a dominating display and if it wasn’t for a fine display from Zac Prior it could have been a repeat of last season’s 6 - 0 defeat at Lichfield.

Next Match :
Wednesday 5th March Home v Lichfield City 7.45pm
Saturday 8th March Home v Highgate United 3.00pm