Tamworth v Barwell
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Tamworth
2-1
Barwell
Match Report
After the second comeback in two home games saw The Lambs grab all three points off St. Ives at the weekend, Tamworth fans were hoping for a less nerve wracking, but equally positive outcome, against near neighbours Barwell in the third Pitching-In Southern Football League Premier Division Central match of the season.
Aaron Forde sat out the second of his three game ban while Joe Magunda and Gerry McDonagh came into the starting eleven.
The visitors got the game underway, with The Lambs attacking the Meadow Street end in the first half but it was Barwell that forced the first corner in the second minute which former Lambs Dunkley headed over the bar.
McDonagh connected with Graham’s right sided cross on 7 but was unable to flick it home at the near post and Barwell cleared their lines.
McDonald flashed a shot from the right channel on 12 which whipped past the left hand post and Cotterill was booked for a nudge in the play.
Magunda was then booked on 15 and when Rowe-Turner failed to control the ball 25 yards out, Hickey picked it up and threaded it to Williams who took full advantage, advanced into the box and rifled his shot past Singh off the right hand upright (0-1, 19 mins)
The offside flag denied Graham the equaliser on 23 but a minute later McDonald netted on the volley after Tonks’ long throw was punched away but only as far as the Lambs number 7 who made no mistake from 12 yards out (1-1, 24 mins)
Play stopped around the 28 minute mark when Gough required treatment for an injury, and play restarted with a drop ball back to Singh.
Barwell’s McDonald was booked for a clattering tackle in front of the dugout on 34. McDonald pulled his shot just wide of the mark from Beswick’s through ball on 35 and then on 39 McDonagh gave The Lambs the lead, heading the bouncing ball over the advancing keeper and it went into the net despite the best intentions of Cotterill, the covering defender (2-1, 39 mins)
The goalscorer was booked for a foul on the half way line on 44 in the final act of the first half.
Lambs hold strong for victory
The Lambs restarted proceedings but Barwell went on the attack and a handball by Graham set up the visitors with a freekick in the left channel which was cleared.
Stabana forced a corner on the right on 49 but it was cleared and Barwell sprinted to the other end finishing with Dunkley shooting past the left hand post from the right of the box.
Tonks was booked for upending Williams on the left wing on 52 although it did appear he got the ball first, and Tamworth cleared the poor deadball.
Substitute Gordon curled a shot from the left over the corner of bar and post on 58 but The Lambs reshaped a little more defensively.
At the other end Williams drilled a cross from the left into the box on 66 and McDonald should have netted at the far post but diverted the driven ball out past the far post. Williams hut a hopeful effort from 20 yards into the arms of Singh on 70 and he was called into action on 73 to deny two close range finishes in quick succession. The game then descended into a scrappy almost pinball like affair with Tamworth having to be on their mettle as Barwell struck the side netting from a Hollis effort on 85. Beswick picked up a late booking and O’Connor forced an even later corner as The Lambs saw the match out to record their fourth game unbeaten and third win on the bounce.
Tamworth Team:
Singh, Stabana, Gough, Beswick (c.), Magunda, Rowe-Turner, McDonald (Gordon 58), Tonks, McDonagh (O’Connor 78), Meikle, Graham (Walters 77)
Subs: Wilder, Tait
YC: Magunda 15, McDonagh 44, Tonks 52, Beswick 89
Barwell Team:
Bramley, Ashmore, Pitman, Cotterill, McAteer, Edwards, Davidson-Miller, Dunkley (Browne 70), McDonald, Hickey, Williams
Subs: Bennett, Castle, Redhead
YC: Cotterill 11, McDonald 34
Attendance: 372
Man of the Match: Lindon Meikle
Referee: Mr. D. Pattison
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