Lichfield City claimed a semi-final place in the Walsall Senior Cup after securing a 3-2 win against a young eleven from Walsall Football Club.
Goals from Liam Kirton, Jamie Elkes and Dom Lewis wrapped up a fifth consecutive home win for Lichfield.
Ivor Green made 6 changes to the starting 11 that beat Shifnal Town last time out at the Trade Tyre Community Stadium. Dan “Wonder” Smith dropped out of the matchday squad for a well-deserved break from action.
A run from Joe Haines down the left flank earned Lichfield a corner early on, as the hosts put early pressure on the Saddlers.
Walsall, however, were quick to boast the quality within their ranks and tested the Lichfield defence repeatedly in the early stages of the contest.
Jamie Elkes put in a heroic last-ditch tackle to deny the Walsall centre-forward, while his defensive partner Kieran Francis was called upon to intercept several dangerous balls from the visitors.
The Saddlers took the lead after 43 minutes, as the Lichfield high line was beaten by a ball over the top. James Beeson made the initial save 30 yards off his line, but the ball deflected into the path of the Walsall’s Jaiy Leydon who lobbed the keeper from distance.
Lichfield struck back almost immediately however, as Haines broke forward and played the ball into the path of Kirton, who rifled his shot into the right-hand corner of the goal on the stroke of half-time.
Spurred on by the 44th minute equaliser, Lichfield put themselves on the front foot as play resumed in the second half.
An effort from Cameron Dunn was deflected wide and the following corner was headed high over the cross bar by Lomas.
George Barrett in the Walsall net was then forced to deny shots on target from Kyle Baxter and Lewis.
Lichfield finally took the lead in the 60th minute.
Another Lichfield effort was cleared off the line out to Haines, who whipped his cross back into the area for Elkes to poke past the keeper into the bottom right-hand corner.
A goal up, Lichfield looked firmly in the driving seat as Kirton came close again, but the ball was smothered at his feet by Barrett.
Lewis then made it three for Lichfield with a pile driver of a strike from outside the box. Cameron Dunn tore into the penalty area from the left-hand side and played the ball to Lewis who fired a powerful effort into the back of the net to give Lichfield City a two-goal cushion.
The Saddlers came close to pulling a goal back on several occasions and managed to win themselves a penalty with just minutes to spare. Charlie Wragg scored from the spot to bring the game back to 3-2, but City held the Saddlers at bay until the final whistle.
Lichfield City will now turn their attention back to the league, as they prepare to welcome Northwich Victoria on Saturday.
Lichfield:
Beeson, Francis, Haines, Elkes, Wykes, Lomas ©, Edwards (Taylor), Baxter, Kirton (Childs), Lewis (Clement), Dunn.
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