Second half goals from Dylan Hart and Kyle Belmonte secured City’s progress into the last 16 of the FA Vase at Claines Lane on Saturday, on an afternoon where Chris Cornes’ side were superior throughout and deserved winners.

The Gaffer made just one change from the side that overcame Mangotsfield in the league the previous weekend, with Calvin Dinsley returning to the side in place of Jamie Insall. That meant a starting spot for Jordan Lymn out wide on the right hand side, Jordan who has already shown his versatility since signing for the club over the festive period.

Despite the late sending off last week, Lichfield were able to start with their star man Daniel Smith in their eleven, the man that Lichfield supporters refer to as ‘Wonder’, to try and help them continue on the road to Wembley.

The game started very evenly with both sides retaining good possession of the ball but with not many chances. The first big effort of the game came from an unlikely source, City’s Kirk Layton. After an initial corner was cleared, the second ball in found Layton in space and he was able to direct a good header down and towards goal, but his effort was cleared off the line.

Liam Lockett also had a good opportunity to put City ahead, with his left footed drive saved well by Beeson in the Lichfield goal. From the resulting corner, Dinsley had peeled away from his man at the back post, but his excellent header down into the ground was again saved expertly by Beeson.

The best chance of the half for City fell to their in-form number 9, Dylan Hart. Clean through on goal with only Beeson to beat, he maybe didn’t get enough purchase on his effort where any sort of height on the one-on-one would surely have beat Beeson, but again the Lichfield keeper saved with his feet.

Lichfield seemingly had their goalkeeper to thank for keeping them in the game and for a clean sheet at half time.

The second period started much the same as the first, with efforts from Dinsley, Belmonte and Gater either sailing over the crossbar, or ending up comfortably in the hands of Beeson. A good ball over the top gave Hart an opportunity to chase down the loose ball, but he was beaten to it by Beeson with both players colliding and needing to receive treatment before the restart.

With time ticking down, it would be Adam Mace who would go closest to opening the scoreline. Picking up the ball on the edge of the Lichfield box, he drove an effort towards goal and out of reach of Beeson, but saw his effort cannon back off the post. So unlucky for the City skipper.

Eventually, the breakthrough came just before the 80 minute mark. Lockett, bursting forward on the left, was able to dig out Hart with a delicious cross in the box, and Harts diving header was perfectly timed and ended up in the back of the Lichfield net. Absolute pandemonium ensued around the ground from the majority of the 769 supporters in Claines Lane as the deadlock was broken.

Lymn and Hart had further chances to wrap the game up for City, but the clincher would come as the clock ticked over into stoppage time. Beeson, arguably man of the match on the day for both sides having kept Lichfield in the tie, went forward for a corner kick which was eventually driven clear after good work in the box by Logan Stoddart. His clearance found Lockett near halfway, who was able to play the ball first time, right to an on-rushing Belmonte. Taking a touch to compose himself, and with an empty net to aim for, City’s playmaker slotted the ball into an empty net from 30 yards, securing progress into the next round.

City’s players were wildly applauded off the field by the home supporters, who were delighted to still be in the competition as the FA Vase moves into the latter stages. The Faithful will be eagerly anticipating the draw, which alongside the FA Trophy will be made on Monday afternoon at around 3.15pm on talkSPORT 2.

City continue in cup action on Tuesday evening, again at Claines Lane, when they take on Cheltenham Saracens in the Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup, a 7.45pm kick off.