Well played Lichfield Sharks sponsored by The best of lichfield!
Sharks travelled to Chasetown in the preliminary round of the cup competition with the winner going into the cup and the loser going into the shield.
The Sharks started the first half brightly and a great passing move from the kick off nearly brought an early goal but Chasetown managed to keep them out.
The remainder of the first half was a quiet affair with the Sharks struggling to get to grips with the new formation they were trialling and Chasetown enjoying long periods of possession.
In the second half the Sharks reverted to their normal formation and took control of the game with the impressive Lewis Pass soaking up every long ball that Chasetowns keeper dropped on him and the midfield really getting to grips with the game with Ben Henstock in particularly fine form.
In the 25th minute Josh Taylor took control of an awkward ball with a number of Chasetown players around him and turned smartly before releasing Nathan Ray who fired past the helpless Chasetown keeper.
With a goal under their belts, and the confidence starting to ooze from the players, the midfield began to shift the ball about and tear holes in the Chasetown defence.
After large periods of sustained pressure the Sharks broke the Chasetown defence down for the second time when Nathan Ray drove a low shot at the bottom corner of the Chasetown goal that was too hot for the keeper to hold and it sneaked through his legs and over the line despite his best attempts to scramble the ball to safety.
Sharks came close to adding more to the tally and the impressive Ben Henstock nearly rounded off a tremendous performance with a thunder bolt that had the crossbar still shaking long after the final whistle.
The Chasetown keeper made a string of fine saves to keep it at 2-0 and that was enough to see the Sharks through to the cup.
MOTM; Ben Henstock for an all action display
Thanks to Matt Minton for the above match report.
