Tamworth Men's Firsts Vs Bloxwich

Tamworth Men’s First XI won 4-3 away at Bloxwich with Ben Popple involved in three of the four goals.  Tamworth had travelled missing three regular midfield players but started brightly and following pressure high up the pitch from Ian Wagstaff, Tom Hancox and Ryan Brisco they took an early lead when Popple picked up the ball in the final third and dribbled into the D before dispatching his shot low into the corner.  A second followed soon after, this time Popple squeezed the ball into the D from the right and Tom Sperrink struck a shot which looped into the top corner.  Tamworth could and should have put the game to bed with Sperrink and Hancox both getting into good positions but either failing to hit the target or pick out a teammate and there were disallowed goals for Popple and Ben Merrick.  Bloxwich took advantage of the profligacy to square the match before half time, first with a reverse stick scoop from a very tight angle and then with a contentious penalty flick.

After the break Town were back on the attack and Popple bagged his brace when a defender’s loose touch left him all alone and his shot crept into the bottom corner.  Captain Wagstaff then restored Tamworth’s two goal advantage with a strike from a penalty corner before Tamworth weathered a final push from the hosts which resulted in them pulling a goal back.  Bloxwich tried in vain for an equaliser but great defensive work from Graeme Cook and keeper Tony Banks handed Tamworth the three points.

Town will be back to full strength next week as they face Redditch at home.