Peterborough Sports v Tamworth
Peterborough Sports
1-1
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Tamworth
Match Report
In the opening fixture of the 2020-21 Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Central Division season the Lambs travelled to face The Turbines pitting first against second or second versus first (depending on how you look at the points per game / final positions) from when the 2019-20 season was halted.
The Lambs fielded a largely familiar side from the pre-season friendlies and welcomed back Jaanai Gordon to the fold making his return alongside debutants Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, Lindon Meikle and Shaquille McDonald.
On a gloriously sunny afternoon, The Lambs got the game underway kicking towards the car park end of the ground.
The Lambs put pressure on from the kick off by McDonald’s cross was cleared and the home side sprinted down to the other end with a cross from Moreman which went long Tamworth enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening encounters but neither side threatened the opposition keeper until a chance presented itself on 8.
A freekick was awarded in the right channel and Beswick lined up the deadball and he struck it on target curling into the top corner, but Moat was able to launch himself and push it away for a corner on the right which went too long for Gordon at the far post.
A freekick from the half way line by Lawlor fell onto the head of Jones on 11, but he was unable to direct it, under pressure, anywhere near goal and Singh restarted with a goal kick which allowed The Lambs to rebuild with McDonald eventually running the ball out via a double deflection on the left.
After a foul on McDonald the quick freekick released Gordon and he shot for goal on 18 but it was easy for Moat to drop and take at his near post.
A high ball dropped for Gordon to attack but he tangled with the home defence and conceded a freekick in the process,
Wilder was booked on 22 for a late challenge although the referee had actually allowed play to continue and pulled the lambs defender to on side when the move broke down.
Neat skill from Meikle almost forged an opening for Stabana on 25, but his pass through the Turbines defence was just too strong for him to catch.
Wilder slid in to deny a Peterborough cross form the left on 28 then a foul at the other end set up Beswick on the left wing with a dead ball from 40 yards diagonally from goal.
He struck it left footed and Wilder was beaten to it before Spirts cleared their lines. In the next move another foul set up Beswick again in a similar position but again it was cleared and Stabana’s cross looking for Wilder was taken by Moat.
Meikle did all the hard work on 37, beating his man with a couple of step overs before curling his shot high and wide of the far top corner.
A Threaded ball through to McDonald saw the Lambs number eleven advance into the box on 37 but he couldn’t get the ball at his feet and went down under the challenge of two defenders, but there was no hesitation form the referee about waving penalty claims away.
A mazy run from Yafai ended with a yellow card for Lawlor when he tumbled the Tamworth man down. Beswick fired the deadball into the box perfectly for Cullinane-Liburd t head powerfully past Moat (1-0 42 mins)
But immediately the home side went on the attack, forced a corner and when it fell invitingly for Sembie-Ferris 25 yards out he struck low and inside the right hand post past Singh to level the tie (1-1, 43 mins)
The Lambs put the pressure on the home side in the final minute or two of the half and Meikle clashed with Moat in a none intentional challenge when the ball bounced away from them both inside the six yard box.
Second half stalemate
Peterborough restarted proceedings, but it was The Lambs who were on the front foot first and McDonald forced a corner on the right on 47.
Beswick launched it into the danger area and it was headed behind for a corner on the opposite side which Forde struck but a foul in the box halted play. More Lambs pressure ended when McDonald’s dangerous cross form the left floated into the hands of Moat on 51.
Play switched to the other end, and a foul set up Sports with a left sided freekick on 52 which was too long and failed to trouble Singh or his defence.
On the hour, a rising shot from McDonald flew close but over the corner of bar and post, and then Yafai was booked setting up the home side with a freekick from 30 yards.
Sembie-Ferris struck low and Singh parried then smothered the ball to deny the follow up.
The Lambs defence allowed Sports a sight of goal on 62 but the overhead kick from Jones went wide of the mark. With The Lambs in possession in the final third, the referee got accidentally in the way and so a drop ball was awarded and a corner forced which Forde came to nothing as it floated over Yafai to the far side of the pitch.
Beswick’s low shot on 78 was taken well by Moat and Gordon took a flailing arm to the face so had to receive treatment before Forde forced a corner, and McDonagh replaced Meikle.
Tamworth conceded a freekick no more than a foot outside the left of the box although the home side claimed it was inside and Tamworth broke from the deadball, McDonald releasing Gordon but he was brought down and Sano Sani was booked for his efforts. A foul 35 yards from goal in the ensuing play set up Beswick but he lifted his effort high over the target.
Tonks replaced McDonald as four minutes injury time was shown and a sliding challenge by Forde on Sano Sani earned him a straight red card for his troubles.
The free kick in the 95th minute from Lawlor bounced in the box and went out for a goal kick but Singh required assistance for cramp and the final whistle blew on a point a piece.
Tamworth Team:
Singh (c.), Stabana, Wilder, Beswick, Cullinane-Liburd, Rowe-Turner, Meikle (McDonagh 82), Forde, Gordon, Yafai, McDonald (Tonks 90)
Subs: Walters, O’Connor, Gough
YC: Wilder 22, Yafai 60 RC: Forde 90+
Peterborough Sports Team:
Moat, Jarvis, Miles, McGowan (Malone 90), Jones R, Lawlor, Sembie-Ferris, McCammon, Jones M, Sano Sani, Moreman (Nicholson 63)
Subs: Elsom, Hilliard, Buccerio
YC: Jones M 39, Lawlor 41, Jones R 65, Sano Sani 85
Attendance: 295
Referee: Mr. R. Ricardo
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