Tamworth Men's Firsts Vs Old Wulfrunians 1

Tamworth Men’s First XI had a mixed set of results as they lost their key game versus Old Wulfs in the battle for second place but won on Sunday versus Newtown to remain in control of their own fate.

On Saturday Tamworth were soundly beaten 9-3 away at Old Wulfs.  Tamworth knew that a third consecutive defeat would see Old Wulfs move above them for the first time since the early weeks of the season.  Tamworth were missing key personnel in midfield and were only able to take one sub with a lack of availability to travel from the second and third teams.  Tamworth started the game well and opened the scoring when Tom Hancox pounced on a loose ball to strike low into the corner.  Old Wulfs hit straight back and soon marched into a 4-1 lead as Tamworth struggled to cope with their movement and a slick set of penalty corner routines.  Tamworth looked to work their way back into the game with Ian Wagstaff smashing in a shot high into the net having seen his initial effort blocked and looked to be back in the contest when Hancox was once again on hand to drill inside the near right post after good work from James Griffin driving down the right.  Unfortunately Tamworth couldn’t maintain the momentum and minutes before the break they struck again to leave Tamworth facing an uphill battle in the second half with a two goal deficit.

Town looked to go on the attack after the break but as they threw numbers forward they found themselves exposed on the break and the hosts added four more goals after the break as Tamworth lost their shape meaning Tamworth fell to the third straight defeat and handed over the prized second place in the league to their opponents.

On Sunday Tamworth bounced back with a 4-2 victory over Newtown in a rearranged fixture.  With key players back Tamworth were able to field a strong 13 man squad and looked back to their fluent best playing the ball around and looking to pick holes in the deep lying defence of the visitors.  They got off to the perfect start with Ben Popple striking the opening goal before a second followed soon after when Ian Wagstaff fired his drag flick inside the right hand post to give Tamworth a 2-0 lead.  Tamworth were playing the ball around well but were given a warning shot when a Newtown forward shot wide after intercepting the ball high up the pitch.  The warning wasn’t heeded and soon after the visitors got a goal back when Town were caught in possession and the ball was slipped under Tony Banks in goal.  Tamworth eventually found some rhythm again and Popple was on hand again as he finished from the left with a smart snap shot on the reverse.

The second half continued as cagey affair as Tamworth had much of the ball but failed to create clear openings whilst Newtown grew in confidence going forward.  Tamworth also had to weather a series of green card sin bins with Tamworth twice clearing off the line before Newtown pulling goal back from a penalty corner.  Tamworth quickly responded with one of their own when Tom Sperrink scored with a strike from the left to restore the two goal lead to put Tamworth back into second place, albeit by only a point.

Tamworth host Streetly next Saturday and will need to rediscover some form to keep ahead in what now looks like a two horse race for second place.