Tamworth Men's Firsts Vs Telford & Wrekin 2

Tamworth Men’s First XI bounced back from defeat the previous week to clinch a fourth win in the opening five games following a convincing 5-2 victory away to Telford and Wrekin Second XI.  As with their last away game Tamworth were missing a handful of first team regulars but made a strong start with Ben Popple going close to opening the scoring before the hosts had a tantalising cross slide across the face of goal.  Tamworth upped the pressure and opened the scoring with Ian Wagstaff firing a long range pass into the D which Tom Sperrink controlled before striking low inside the near post.  Town stayed on the front foot and doubled the lead midway through the first half,  Ben Popple drove at the heart of the Telford defence before slipping the ball left to Sperrink who cut inside and picked out the same spot for his and Town’s second.  The hosts continued to pose a threat and Tamworth had to be at their sharpest, going man to man for much of the game but Wagstaff and Ben Acton at the heart of the defence gave Telford few clear cut chances to get back in the game.  Tamworth’s dominance was rewarded before the break when Sperrink had a shot saved with captain Ryan Brisco on hand to pick up the rebound and powerfully push past the defenders on the line to give Tamworth a 3-0 lead.

Town continued to create chances following the restart with Ben Popple twice through one on one with the keeper, first denied by an outstretched stick save before he could only find the side netting with a reverse stick effort.  Then came a period of pressure from the hosts with a flurry of cards requiring Tamworth to dig in.  Brisco received a green card sin bin which Tamworth weathered before upon his return they were reduced to nine men for a prolonged period when Graeme Cook saw yellow for dissent before Jonny Shaw received the same punishment for a mistimed tackle as the game became scrappy.  Telford pulled a goal back but Tamworth were restored back to full strength with a two goal lead still in tact.  As Telford chased further goals chances came at both ends but James Miles put in another confident display between the posts for Town and the visitors restored their three goal lead when Popple played Sperrink through and although his initial effort to lift the ball over the keeper was half saved the ball dropped kindly for Sperrink to convert into the empty net to complete his hat trick.  Popple would be denied again when Shaw tried to play him in when two on one but Tamworth got their fifth with Elliott Birchall rounding the keeper only to see his shot blocked illegally by a defender on the line and Ian Wagstaff stepped to convert the resulting penalty flick.  Telford did score a consolation late in the game with a well-placed penalty corner strike but Tamworth saw out the win.

An excellent team effort across the whole pitch especially wide areas where James Griffin offered little opportunity and Nich Rammell deputising well whether in midfield or at left back when required.  Tamworth rise to second just three points off the top and host third placed Old Wulfrunians next week.