Tamworth Men's Firsts Vs North Stafford 2

Tamworth Men’s First XI romped to a 13-2 home win at home to North Stafford Second XI as they went into the mid-season break in style.  Tamworth started the game well with Connor Diggins opening the scoring when he gathered a pass from Ryan Brisco before driving into the D and shooting past the onrushing keeper.  The visitors then came back strongly and with captain Brisco in the sin bin they scored from a penalty corner.  Town came back with the perfect response as they put the pressure on high up the pitch and regained the lead when Tom Sperrink was quickest to a loose ball in the D, drilling into the bottom corner.  Tamworth’s third came when Brisco played a deft deflected pass to Sperrink who rounded the keeper and slotted into the empty goal and Sperrink returned the favour moments later when he shot across goal from a penalty corner with Brisco on hand to deflect in at the far post.  The goals continued to come and Sperrink secured a first half hat trick when Tom Hancox drew the keeper before his deflected pass left Sperrink with a tap in. Tamworth were out of sight at this point and grabbed a sixth when Sperrink shot high into the net at the second attempt having seen his initial shot saved by the keeper to lead 6-1 at half time.

In the second half Tamworth continued to create chances, Hancox got in on the scoring when, following the award of a penalty corner, he smashed his shot into the corner after his first effort was saved and he turned provider soon after as Hancox exchanged a one-two with Ian Wagstaff who flicked in from close range.  Hancox was the creator again from another penalty corner as he played in Brisco for another deflected finish for his brace before Tom Merriman grabbed a goal when he was on hand to deflect in after Sperrink looked to have shot wide. Tamworth were cashing in against a dejected North Stafford and scored straight from the restart with Sperrink put through he laid off to Merriman who turned the keeper and cutely flicked in reverse stick for his second and Sperrink scored his fifth when firing into the centre of the goal having drawn the keeper having been played through by Diggins. North Stafford scored a consolation goal when they took advantage of Ben Acton being off the pitch for a green card but Acton made amends soon after returning to the pitch as he played the ball across the D to Brisco who wrapped up his hat trick when he shot beyond the despairing dive of the last defender with the keeper stranded for Town’s thirteenth.

Tamworth go into the Christmas break with a five point lead over third placed Finchfield, who they face in the first game of the New Year and whilst the focus will remain on ensuring they secure a top two promotion slot they will have one eye on trying reduce the five point deficit to first placed Wolverhampton.