Tamworth Men's Firsts Vs Streetly 2

Tamworth Men’s First XI were back to their best as they ran out 7-2 winners at home to Streetly Second XI on Saturday.  Tamworth took a strong squad of thirteen and looking to get a performance as well as a result against second bottom Streetly but had to defend well in the early stages.  Streetly pressing high and won a couple of penalty corners which were well kept out by Town who then took the lead ten minutes into the game having seen off the early pressure.  With Tamworth’s forwards interchanging position Tom Hancox laid the ball out wide to Tom Sperrink who drove down the right wing and along the baseline before cutting back for a simple finish for Ben Popple.  The hosts doubled their lead soon after as Ryan Brisco intercepted high up the pitch and when through with the keeper he unselfishly squared the ball for Sperrink to slap into the empty net.  Tamworth could and should have extended their lead with Sperrink and Connor Diggins both striking the post before Streetly came back on the attack and halved the deficit with a shot from the right at a penalty corner. Tamworth re-established their two goal lead with another break down the right with good defensive work from Ian Wagstaff as he tracked across the D to cut out a Streetly attack before picking out Sperrink with a long range pass who in turn laid the ball beyond the final defender for Popple to finish low into the corner.

The second period started much like the first with Streetly pushing to get back in the game although both teams appeared to be cancelling each other out it was Streetly who pulled a goal back with James Miles unlucky to see the ball nestle in the corner having half saved the shot.  Tamworth didn’t let the goal affect them and as they maintained their composure the goals began to flow again; Sperrink got his second, again thanks to selfless play from a team mate, this time Tom Hancox who broke into the D and played the ball across for a tap in.  Popple then completed his hat trick with the pick of the games goals when he gathered a pass from Elliott Birchall before crashing in a reverse stick shot off the post.  As Streetly chased the game it left more opportunities for Tamworth and Hancox got in on the act firstly on the rebound after seeing his initial shot saved before showing excellent close control and a neat finish into the corner for his second and Town’s seventh to complete the win.

This win sees Tamworth regain their four point gap over third placed Old Wulfs as they fell to defeat at Newtown and travel to Stone next Saturday in confident mood after this all round team performance.