Back With A Bang - Atherstone Town vs. Lichfield City

Rainbow over Sheppy Road

After two weeks in North America (MLS posts to follow at some point!) it was back to the usual Saturday afternoons. And also back to form was the weather that tried to make a game choice as difficult as possible. Heavy rain on Friday night made me cautious in choosing a game and the top of the table clash in The Midland League Division One between Atherstone Town and Lichfield City seemed a safeish bet. After receiving Twitter confirmation that the game would be going ahead it was to time to head back to Warwickshire. Atherstone were having a good season, sitting in second, one point behind today's visitors, they had also reached The Second Qualifying Round of The FA Cup where they were defeated by National League North Side Kidderminster.

Just after kick off in the top of the table clash

A heavy downpour just before kick off contributes to a scrappy start but Atherstone soon produce a piece of magic. The winger is allowed to cut in from the left before he bends a fantastic effort past the Lichfield keeper. They almost double their lead shortly afterwards when the attacker is played in over the top but the Lichfield keeper makes a vital block. Lichfield's first chance to get the ball in is a free kick out wide which is dealt with by the home defence. It is another set piece that provides the second goal. The Atherstone forward gets behind the Lichfield defence and wins a harsh looking penalty that is dispatched via the Lichfield keeper's hand. Things get worse for the visitors just before half time when they are reduced to ten men after a reckless tackle.

Atherstone get the ball in the first half

Despite their disadvantage, Lichfield push on the start of the second half and they have an effort cleared off the line at the start of the second half. Then an effort from just outside the box is saved before the rebound requires an even better save. The visitors get the goal their pressure deserves when the attacker is played in and he lashes the ball home. There is to be no glorious comeback however. The ball is played into feet on the edge of the Lichfield box and the Atherstone attacker is able to turn giving himself the opportunity to angle a low shot past the keeper to finish the scoring and making it three one. 

Lichfield keep themselves in the game with the clubhouse in the background

It was another train out of Euston to get to Atherstone which takes around and a quarter. The ground is then a steady twenty minute walk away. The first pub you come to on The High Street is The Clock which is good for the sports channels and had Bass on hand pull (insanely cheap too). Then about half way to the ground is the stunning Angel Ale House which is North Warwickshire pub of the year. There is a wide selection of ales and ciders as well as a selection of vinyl to drink away to. The clubhouse at the ground had the usual selection of drinks and as with the rest of the club was welcoming. A great return to English Non League!

Further cover on the clubhouse side of the ground