Tamworth Men's Firsts Vs Wolverhampton 1

Tamworth Men’s First XI were beaten 3-1 away at Wolverhampton in a top of the table clash.  Second placed Tamworth’s faint chances of challenging for the little were all but extinguished by this defeat as Wolverhampton stretched their lead at the top to 8 points with 8 games remaining.  Tamworth managed to take a strong side but were missing a handful of regulars meaning only one substitute could be included.  The opening exchanges saw Wolverhampton dominate the ball with sharp movement as they stretched the Tamworth midfield but the defence stood resolute.  Town slowly grew into the game and were still able to create chances on the break with Tom Sperrink denied by a double save from the keeper and the same player wasn’t able to pick out Ben Popple when he would have been through one on one with the keeper.  Wolverhampton continued to move the ball around well and took the lead midway through the half with a well worked goal that saw a strike fired into the corner.  The visitors though continued to defend manfully with Ian Wagstaff and Andy Parker keeping the chance count down and tireless work from Ryan Brisco, Connor Diggins and Elliott Birchall kept Tamworth in the game.

After the break Tamworth took the initiative and equalised when Ben Popple drove in from the left evading defenders before his low shot was deflected into the goal by an unlucky defender.  The game became something of stalemate with chances now at a premium but Wolverhampton eventually regained the lead with a goal fifteen minutes from time.  The game was competitive and being played a good spirit before it took a nasty turn ten minutes from time.  Sperrink went down injured after a hard but fair challenge by the Wolverhampton keeper and the umpires stopped the game, although a bully was called Tamworth had agreed to play the ball back to Wolverhampton only for the hosts young attacker to renege on the agreement and attempt to take the ball off Wagstaff at the restart.  Andy Parker then fouled the Wolves attacker and was yellow carded leaving Tamworth down to ten men.  It was during this period that the hosts added a third but this lack of sporting grace left a nasty taste with Tamworth as the game ended in a disappointing end.  Some karma was at least meted out as the hosts missed a sitter having round James Miles in the closing seconds of the game.

Whilst Wolverhampton were deserving winners Tamworth can be proud of their performance and attitude in the two games against the champions elect having also run them close in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.  Tamworth remain 7 points clear of third placed Old Wulfs and face Telford and Wrekin Seconds at home next week in their campaign to secure the second promotion spot.