Lichfield City’s Jack Edwards sink Long Eaton United as his two first half goal involvements were the difference between the two sides.

Edwards’ first half contributions put his side 2-0 up within the opening 30 minutes.

Despite this, there were still positives to be taken from the game as Connor Pace made his return to the starting lineup and there were good spells of football from the Blues.

Brad Munn named a few changes to his side that beat Wellingborough Town last Saturday.

Lewis King commanded a backline consisting of Owen Betts, Jamie Hanson, Jayden Cotterill and Elliot Hartmann.

George Atwal started in midfield alongside Cieron Keane and Pace.

Upfront was Jahvan Davidson-Miller, James Taylor and Evan Garnett.

We did start brightly as Pace hit the post inside the opening three minutes, but a minute later, Lichfield found the back of our net.

It is not clear how it went in, but the general understanding is that a Edwards cross into the box somehow found its way in our net.

The next 10-15 minutes saw both sides exchange chances with the hosts coming closer than us.

Eventually, their efforts were rewarded as Edwards beat one of our men with a skill and got his shot away. It got a deflection on it, but nevertheless, it found our net again in the 27th minute.

Our best chance of the half came in the 36th minute as Hanson had a free kick saved and Betts had a follow-up header saved again by the goalkeeper.

We continued to push for a goal, but the hosts sat back well and defended strongly.

The second half began, and we started really well with Jahvan coming close on a few occasions but unfortunately not finding the net.

Pace had a really good chance two minutes after the hour mark, as a team-move saw Pace receiving the ball inside the box, but he blazed it over the bar.

We made two subs in three minutes as Dexter Walters replaced Atwal and James Shaw replaced Jahvan.

Keane was booked for a late challenge in the 73rd minute.

Our final sub came in the 79th minute as Coden Duncan replaced Pace.

The final 10 minutes saw us push hard for that goal, but it did not come.

Shaw had a header deflected behind for a corner inside the six-yard box and Taylor lashed the ball over the bar from inside the box.

King did produce a fantastic diving save in the 90th minute, but besides that, all three points remained in Lichfield, and we traveled home defeated.

Our next game is at home against Coventry Sphinx on November 22.

UNUSED SUBS: Aaron Cole and Bradley Munn.