Pre-Season Friendly
Brownsfield Rd, Lichfield
Tuesday, 18th August 2020, 7.45pm
Rovers Continue Undefeated In Friendlies
Alfie Burley
An impressive first-half performance guided Rovers to a fourth victory in pre-season with a 4-1 triumph over Lichfield City.
Two strikes from the impressive Paul Sullivan, and a goal each for Joe Haines and David Kolodynski sealed the win but it might have been so different had City converted a few of the numerous chances they created in the second period.
Despite the later events of the first half, Lichfield started brightly. The home side passed it around with ultimate confidence evidently accustomed to their 3G pitch.
Rovers could barely get out of their own half, and a cross from Lichfield’s number two nearly found it’s mark, only to be well intercepted by Joe Fryatt.
This made it even more surprising when Gresley took the lead completely against the run of play in the 11th minute. Stepping out of defence, Mason Frizelle sliced the Lichfield defence open with a lovely through ball to Sullivan.
The skipper, however, still had a lot to do, but, spotting the ‘keeper off his line, Sullivan intelligently curved his shot around the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
The goal seemed to rock Lichfield in defence as mistakes started to creep in as they attempted to play out from the back. Despite still looking promising going forward, City’s leaky backline was exposed once again in the 23rd minute.
Another lovely through ball, this time from midfield, found Joe Haines down the right-hand side of the box. The winger made no mistake with his shot, slamming his effort clinically past the rooted ‘keeper.
Minutes after, Lichfield responded by forcing Fryatt into action, the goalkeeper having to beat away a shot at the near post. However, another concession of possession around their own box, was once again ruthlessly punished by Rovers.
Keith Thomas pounced on the error, bringing the ball under his control before feeding David Kolodynski. The winger, on for the injured Ryan King, squared the ball perfectly to Sullivan who was never going to miss calmly sliding the ball into the net.
With the City players glad to hear the half-time whistle, they would have hoped for a far better second half. However, things looked bleak from the outset when Rovers made it 4-0 inside a minute of the restart.
Kolodynski once again found space behind the Lichfield defence, and with the ‘keeper rushing off his line to snuff out the danger, the substitute showed great composure in chipping him and further extending Rovers lead.
Yet, despite being left wanting in defence, Lichfield still posed a large threat going forward, and they finally got something to show for it in the 50th minute. This time it was Gresley who gave the ball away, allowing the ball to fall to number nine, who sent the defender sprawling before rolling the ball past Fryatt.
With the Moatmen still holding a three-goal lead, Rovers very much looked to shore things up in defence after an open start to the second period.
Yet, Lichfield were still creating chances, with Rovers breathing a sigh of relief when number six shot just wide of the post. They were even more fortunate to not concede in the 77th minute when a ball across the face of goal was somehow struck onto the crossbar from mere yards out.
The away side then had Fryatt to thank for keeping this vibrant Lichfield attack out when, despite fumbling a free kick initially, he acrobatically denied the home side twice in a few seconds, tipping the second effort over from close range.
Ultimately, Gresley managed to see out the 4-1 win, despite the late pressure from the home side. They’re now unbeaten in all six of their pre-season games, with this being their 4th win of the period.
