Tamworth Men's Firsts Vs Market Harborough

Tamworth Men's First XI won 5-1 at home against Market Harborough team to maintain their challenge for third place.  Having faced Harborough 3 times previously in league and cup this season Tamworth were aware that the visitors were missing a number of their key players but needed to be focused on taking a valuable win against a side who started the day three points better off.  Tamworth made a cautious start the game keeping the ball well but without really dominating the territory.  Tom Hancox was isolated at times as centre forward but Tamworth grew in confidence as the half went on and scored when a long pass from Simon Bowyer picked out Ben Marshall who controlled before pushing his shot low into the corner.  Marshall grabbed his second of the game, doubling his tally for the campaign when a quick free hit saw Ryan Brisco released in behind the defence and he squared for a simple tap in for Marshall at the far post.  Market Harborough rallied and having seen a shot cleared off the line on the volley by Bowyer were rewarded for their efforts a drag flicked penalty corner flew into the top corner to leave the score 2-1 at the break.

Following half time Tamworth were much more positive in their play and took the lead when Ben Popple drove into the D and had a shot saved only for Hancox to convert on the rebound.  A fourth goal came with Ian Wagstaff throwing an aerial pass which was collected by Hancox on the left, he drilled his reverse stick cross across goal where Tom Sperrink saw his deflected effort saved before he converted on at the second attempt.  The scoring was wrapped up by Hancox when he dribbled along the baseline and after a scramble he poked the ball inside the near post from close range for his sixteenth goal in league and cup this season.

With Tamworth also awarded 3 points for a cancelled game versus the same opposition the go into the final game of the season in third place, all be it with the sides close behind all having games in hand.