Tamworth Men's Firsts Vs Wolverhampton 1

Tamworth Men's First XI were beaten 3-2 at home to Wolverhampton in a game that swung back and forth on Saturday.  Both sides came into the game with 3 wins from 3 games so knew that this game would be the hardest they had faced this season.  Tamworth started brightly and following pressure high up the pitch had the first clear chance of the game but Ryan Brisco couldn't quite bring the ball under control when released with a chance in the opening minutes.  Wolverhampton soon found a foothold in the game and took the lead when they converted from a penalty corner.  Town hit straight back, Brisco firing a pass into Tom Sperrink who control and scuffed the ball into the corner.  The scores would remain tied at the break with Tamworth working hard and winning the battle in midfield but unable to create enough clear cut opportunities.

Following the restart Town took the lead when, from a penalty corner, a drag flick from Ian Wagstaff deflected off the keeper and as illegally blocked by the defender on the line.  Wagstaff stepped up and converted high into the corner.  Unfortunately this was as good as it got for Tamworth as Wolverhampton dominated the ball and deservedly equalised mid way through the half.  The visitors saw chances come and go with goal line clearances from Simon Bowyer and Jacob Mallinder before the Tamworth had chances to regain the lead with Ben Popple shooting wide from a tight angle and Tom Hancox unable to get a shot away from close range.  Wolverhampton had a goal disallowed with five minutes to go but would make amends when they converted a penalty corner in the last minute to leave Tamworth with nothing to show for their efforts.

On Sunday Tamworth bounced back with a 5-2 win at Berkswell and Balsall Common 2nd Xi in the first round of the England Hockey Tier 3 Championship.  Town dominating the game with only a couple of lapses in concentration spoiling a near perfect display.  The goals came from braces for Tom Hancox and Ryan Brisco and second of the weekend for Ian Wagstaff.  Town face Old Halesonians 2nd XI when the next round takes place in December.