With a blustery wind affecting the quality of passing, this was more a war of attrition than a game of football. Though our keeper was busier than Sandwell's, the game turned into a midfield battle that neither side seemed to dominate. For long periods, the game looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw but eventually LHC cracked. We lost possession down our left flank, a quick pass for a Sandwell striker to run on to, and all of a sudden we were behind. Within five minutes Sandwell sealed the game with a header from a good cross.
Thank you to the officials who did a very good job and well done Sandwell who have adapted comfortably to life in Division Two and look obvious contenders for the Division Two championship this season.
Mark Broome of Sandwell Utd added: Yesterday's game was exactly what we had expected: A hard game against an improving team, who know how to defend well. The game was played at a very windy Lion Farm, which did have a big influence on the game. LHC had the wind first half so we knew after the first few minutes that if we could keep them out we would have a great chance in the game. This said, they didn't really have many efforts on goal and we had three or four good efforts, which the LHC keeper did well to keep out. Half-time 0-0.
The second half started with us bringing on Mark A and Theo, who both played really well and we also had the wind in our favour and we could only ever see us winning the game from that point on. We pinned them into their own half and started to dominate the game. Midway through the half Dave put a great 'pass' over the top and Matty Hammond's pace took him away from the defender and he slotted home fantastically from a tight angle. A few minutes later Dibble reached double figures for the season with another great headed finish from a Mark A flick on. Dibble's celebration today was a Balotelli style 'why always me?' t-shirt!! At 2-0 the game was over and with Jay hitting the bar late on we could have made it three in the final minutes.
A big thank you to LHC who are a great bunch of lads. They are a hard working, defensive team, just missing a 20 goal a season striker. The ref and his assistants were great today, one of the best we've had. We have a break next week, unless we have a friendly against a Derek Dudfield new Bilston team. Then the big test against CGU. A final mention to Luke today who lost a tooth in a 50/50 challenge during the game. He tried to play on but was in a bad way. Get well soon mate, we need you back for the big games coming up.
