Newark Town V Lichfield City (FA Vase, second round proper)

Newark Town were looking for a statement result in the FA Vase yesterday against MFL premier division leaders Lichfield city. It’s been a brilliant season for the Nottingham side so far who have built up a run of form in both the league and the FA Vase. The Blues were 3rd in the Premier Division North of the UCL alongside going on a record run in the Vase.
  
Lichfield were looking to build on an encouraging result against 1874 Northwich last weekend where they drew 2-2 at the Trade Tyre Community Stadium.  The Staffordshire side have been one of the standout teams in the MFL premier division so far with just two losses from fifteen league matches to lead the division.

They had an eye-catching run in the FA Vase last season where they reached the fourth round before losing to Worcester City at Claines Lane.  

The atmosphere at the YMCA Sports and Community Village was what would you want from the FA Vase. The home crowd were passionate and invested in Newark’s season and it felt like a big match yesterday with an encouraging attendance of 329 supporters. Lichfield also bought a good following along who made the trip up from Staffordshire.    

​The people at the club were friendly and helpful with any queries and it was a memorable match day experience. The facilities are impressive for the level and the programme on offer was informative and included an overview of Newark’s season alongside a history of Lichfield City.

​It’s well worth a visit for groundhoppers in the Nottingham area and accessible to get to by public transport. Supporters can get the 3N bus from Newark bus Station before getting off at the Thoresby Avenue stop where it’s only a short six-minute walk to the ground. 

Starting line ups

The starting line up for Newark Town included Eddie Cooper starting in goal and Alex Hales captaining the team from attacking midfield. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Ryan Smith leading the line up front and being supported by Sean Woolley and Louis Czerwak down the wings.

There were three changes from their match against Shirebrook Town last weekend with Joe Braithwaite coming into the team and playing in central defence alongside Luke Andersen.

Lichfield’s starting line up included Adam Harrison starting in goal and Joe Haines captaining the team from left wing back. The formation looked like a 3-4-3 with Liam Kirton leading the line up front and being supported by Jack Edwards and Finlay Barker down the wings.

​There were three changes from their match against 1874 Northwich last weekend with Adam Harrison coming into the team and playing in goal.        

​First Half

Newark started the match strongly in the opening stages of the first half and were taking the game to Lichfield City inside the opening twenty minutes. They were brave on the ball and committed players forward in search of the opening goal. Ryan Smith looked a threat up front and created some space in the box before shooting at Adam Harrison.

​The Blues were cheered on by a brilliant home crowd who were creating a good cup atmosphere from the main stand. The UCL side were on an excellent run of home form with only two losses from ten matches in the league under manager Luke Parsons and they carried some of that momentum in the early stages of this match.

Newark came close from a couple of well worked set pieces into the box and hit the cross bar from a threatening free kick in the 18th minute. An inviting cross by Sean Woolley down the right-hand side found Louis Czernak who was free at the back post. His shot was instinctively saved by Adam Harrison and went out for a corner.

The resulting corner found Luke Andersen at the front post who found some space before heading into the top left corner for the opening goal.        

Lichfield gradually grew into the match as the first half went on and were starting to link up well in the final fifteen minutes. They showed character to get back in it and stuck to their possession-based style. The only thing missing was that final ball in the box to stretch the Newark defence, but they were moving the ball around well.

Newark looked well organised at the back in the closing stages of the first half and stood up to the Lichfield pressure. Luke Andersen was reading the game well at the back and managed to clear the ball away from danger. Matty Clarke also did a good job of breaking up the play and building attacks from holding midfield and acted as a defensive shield for the back four.

The Nottingham side had a late chance to make it 2-0 in injury time when Ryan Smith had a header well saved by Adam Harrison who managed to tip it over the bar.

Second Half

Lichfield were building some sustained momentum in the second half and had more of the ball compared to the first half. Newark were mainly playing on the counter attack and looking to catch Lichfield out on the break.

There was a great save by Eddie Cooper who did well to deny Leighton McMenemy at the back post from a well worked corner near the hour mark.  

The visitors found the breakthrough in the middle of the second half to make it 1-1 with a brilliant cross from Jack Edwards finding Liam Kirton who headed into the bottom right corner.

Newark had a guilt edged chance to make it 2-1 when substitute Ryan Rushen was through on goal on the break. Adam Harrison stepped up and made another crucial save to keep it at 1-1.

Lichfield made some good clearances to stop Newark re-taking the lead in the second half with Leighton McMenemy defending well and Josh Mansell breaking up the play.  

The visitors were looking to make things happen in the final stages of the second half with Joe Haines getting a shot off near the edge of the box that was well saved by Eddie Cooper.

Jamie Elkes had a late chance to win it for Lichfield who found some space in the box before heading it wide of the back post from a well worked corner.

Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle, and it came down to a penalty shootout.

Both teams dealt with the pressure well throughout the shootout and it came down to a few missed spot kicks. The crucial moment was when Jack Edwards had his effort well saved by Eddie Cooper who went the right way and saved it down the left-hand side. Leighton McMenemy also had his spot kick go wide of goal.  

Newark managed to convert four of their five spot kicks which sent them through to the third round.

Full Time

Newark competed well with Lichfield yesterday and it was a tight match with not much separating the two teams. They looked like a team in form and to be 3rd in the premier division north of the UCL is a brilliant achievement having come up from step six. The defence stepped up in the second half and they looked a threat on the break throughout this match.

The Blues have a run of home games coming up against Belper United and Deeping Rangers before playing Shirebrook away at the end of November.

Lichfield showed character to come back in the second half and were a few spot kicks away from reaching the third round. They linked up well in the final third and created some good chances in front of goal which is encouraging. Despite the result, there in a good position to compete for the league with Brocton and 1874 Northwich their nearest challengers.   

Their upcoming schedule includes games against Whitchurch (Home) and Shifnal (Away) before playing Nuneaton Town in the MFL league cup.              

FT score: Newark Town 1-1 Lichfield City (Newark win 4-3 on penalties)

Man of the Match: Eddie Cooper (Newark Town)

Attendance: 329   

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League