Lichfield City 0 v 2 Coleshill Town

[Alan Beckett]

Friday 26th December 2025
Northern Premier League Midland Division
Lichfield City 0 v 2 Coleshill Town
Scorer: Ben Usher-Shipway 2, 1 pen.
Attendance: 328.
Supporters Club Man Of The Match: Ben Usher-Shipway.


Teams:
City: Brendon Bunn, Josh Mansell, Harry Eden (Joe Danby), Jimmy Elkes, Leighton McMenemy, Dan Lomas (Jay Clement), Jack Edwards, Tom Brown, Jude Taylor (Connor Okereke), Jamie Spiers, Kieran Francis (John Mills). Sub not used: James Wilcock.


Town: Cameron Belford, Daniel Brookes, Harry Sweeney, Jack Hallahan, Tyreace Brown, Taylor Carter-Byrne, Theo Rowe (Louie Webb), Bassit Mandey, Alex McSkeane (Marvellous Onabirekhanlen), Ben Usher-Shipway, Lewis Allison. Subs not used: George Cleet, Tristan Dunkley, Joe Fitzpatrick.


MATCH REPORT
Boxing Day Brilliance
By Ian Pugh
In a pulsating Boxing Day clash between two playoff hopefuls, Coleshill Town delivered a statement performance to see off Lichfield City 2–0 on the road. With both sides sitting neck-and-neck in the Midland Football League Premier Division table—Lichfield one place above in fifth—the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

Coleshill started brightly, carving out early chances and asserting themselves in midfield. But it was Lichfield who nearly stole the lead when they were awarded a controversial penalty—cheap from a Coleshill perspective. Kieran Francis stepped up, but Cameron Belford was equal to the task, diving early to make a superb double save and keep the scoreline intact.

The second half mirrored the first, with Coleshill pressing and creating opportunities. Dan Brookes came close with a towering header that skimmed just over the bar. Then, in the 53rd minute, Theo Rowe was brought down on the edge of the box and Coleshill were awarded a penalty of their own. Ben Usher-Shipway made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way and slotting home to give The Colemen a deserved lead.

With momentum firmly in their favour, Coleshill continued to dominate. In the 72nd minute, Harry Sweeney broke up a Lichfield attack and launched a counter. Usher-Shipway took over, producing a moment of magic—rolling the ball away from Jimmy Elkes, cutting back inside with his left foot, and calmly finishing past the advancing keeper.

The win marks a four-game unbeaten run for Coleshill, with three wins and a draw to close out the year. More importantly, it propels The Colemen into the playoff places, leapfrogging Lichfield in the process.The festive football continues on New Year’s Day, as Boldmere visit Pack Meadow. Can Coleshill make it four wins on the bounce and solidify their playoff credentials?