Tamworth Men's Firsts Vs South Nottingham

Tamworth Men’s First XI won 4-2 at home to South Nottingham securing back to back league wins for first time since 2015.  The opening stages saw South Nottingham start the stronger and Tamworth looked off the pace.  Having weathered the early pressure Tamworth grew into the game and took the lead when Ian Wagstaff picked out Tom Sperrink with a 30 yard pass and Sperrink was able to find space before striking past the keeper.  This sparked further chances with Sperrink denied by the keeper, Ben Marshall and Sam Turner both getting close to chances at the far post, Marshall’s just deflected before reaching him and Turner inches from connecting for a tap in.  The unluckiest though was Tom Hancox who at one stage had three consecutive shots repelled before the ball was scrambled away.  As with the previous week it was penalty corners which enabled the hosts to extend their lead with Ian Wagstaff on hand to drag flick twice into the corner to give the keeper no chance and Tamworth a 3-0 lead at the interval.

The second half was a more even affair with both sides having chances.  James Miles again starred between the posts for Tamworth with an excellent recovery to save after initially having had to rush from his line and a superb reflex save from a close range deflected effort.  Andy Parker, Ryan Brisco and Elliott Birchall in the midfield were the key men in the second half to quelling the visitors threat and Birchall in particular put in a mature and disciplined performance for such a young player.  Hancox was denied another chance after a cross from his brother Cameron before Wagstaff saw another drag flick turned away by the keeper to deny him a hat trick.  Tamworth added a fourth when Tom Hancox broke through and laid the ball off for Sperrink to lift his shot over the onrushing goalkeeper before South Nottingham hit back on the break to reduce the deficit to two goals again.  In the closing stages Tamworth looked stretched and the away side pushed hard to find a way back into the contest but Town held firm for an important win.