Good Game, Good Game!

Here's yesterday's match report from Matt Minton the team coach from the Lichfield Sharks.

Sharks travelled to Erdington in a rich vein of form yet fully aware that the opposition would ask serious questions of them if they were not at their very best.

Erdington started the brighter of the two teams and Sharks had to endure a couple of minutes of pressure before finding their feet and really growing in to the game.

On a large pitch Sharks were able to get the ball passed amongst themselves at pace and launched some excellent attacks on the Erdington goal.

The midfield Of Liam Kelly, Rio Young and Nathan Ray battled hard to retain possession and all had efforts at the Erdington goal that came close and forced a number of fine saves from the alert Erdington keeper.

In the 8th minute Sharks won a corner that Liam Kelly fizzed across the face of goal and Jimmy Horton met with a volley that left the Erdington keeper helplessly stranded to put Sharks one up.

Erdington responded and hit the cross bar with a well struck free kick that Matt James could only watch crash back off the frame of the goal and was grateful to see the rebound cleared by the defence.

The pace of Nathan Ray was causing problems for Erdingtons defence and he was unlucky not to score when he rounded the last man and found himself one on one with the Erdington keeper who flew of his line to clear the ball.

When Erdington launched their own attacks the solid Lewis Pass and Kyle Cox were at hand to keep them at bay.

In the second half Matt James made a great point blank save to keep Sharks in the lead and Josh Taylor was unlucky not to increase the lead forcing another fine save from the Erdington keeper.

With just two minutes left to play Erdington won a corner, the Sharks defence failed to clear their lines, and smashed in an equaliser from close range.

The Sharks were disappointed but responded well and Jimmy Horton came very close to regaining the lead when he fired just wide from close range to leave the result a draw.

Special thanks to Ruth Kelly who stepped in as ref when the league appointed representative failed to show.

MOTM; Lewis Pass, a solid defensive display