Tamworth  v  West Bromwich Albion XI

Sat 16 Jul - 15:00 Friendly

Tamworth

1-3

West Bromwich Albion XI

Match Report

Preseason matchday 04:

At the start of a searing weekend’s weather, after the midweek trip to Harborough Town, Andy Peaks squad returned to the CR MOT Community Stadium at The Lamb for their fourth preseason run out, and welcomed a youthful, strong, Baggies side.

The visitors kicked off proceedings with Tamworth attacking the Meadow Street End in the first half.
Howkins upended Faal on 3 and set up Cleary with the dead ball who struck high over the target and at the other end on 8 Creaney got his head to a corner but the ball skimmed off and was cleared.
After muscling his way through The Lambs midfield Danish U21 International Zohore who had signed for WBA in a deal reported to be up to £8m in July 2019, struck low at Singh from 30 yards without really troubling the Lambs keeper but he couldn’t get to the low drive into the far right corner from Andrews from a similar distance on 13 (0-1, 13 mins)
Collard glanced a header on target but it was taken easy by Cann, and the visitors broke to the other end, pulled the ball back and Fellow finished from 8 yards taking Singh into the back of the net with his powerful finish. (0-2, 18 mins)
Creaney reduced the arrears on 21 though, heading home in a crowded box from a pinpoint Clement freekick (1-2, 21 mins)
A necessary drinks break paused play midway through the half, and from the restart Fall brought out the best in Singh forcing the keeper to come out and block his attempted shot while Mussa mopped up the ball and calmed play down.
Taylor used his height to get to a left sided corner on the half hour but couldn’t keep his header down while a superb through ball from Milnes to McKeown nearly brought the equaliser on 32, but he was quickly under pressure and had to take an early shot from 18 yards, which screwed wide of the mark.
Zohore found space in the middle of the Lambs box on 36 to direct a header from a right sided cross towards goal, but Singh was not troubled.
Similarly, Cann was not troubled by Creaney’s effort from the edge of the box on 42 but the intention was there against a side that showed good technical skills. But Collard was not going to be outdone by Faal, on 43, sliding into the path of the gaol bound shot after a rebound off Singh had initially prevented him from netting a third for the visitors before the half time whistle blew.

HT 1-2

The Lambs restarted the action with both sides unchanged, and enjoyed the majority of the possession in the opening exchanges. Clement lofted a half volley at the visiting keeper on 53 and McKeown followed in but was unable to get a shot away and then Cater curled a shot from the left of the box just past the far post, but Can seemingly beaten.
Cleary rifled a shot at the other end across the face of goal on 56 and then headed over the bar from 8 yards latching onto a pin point cross from the right wing.
West Brom made four changes on the hour and McKeown picked up a booking for protesting a decision by the match referee on 62 shortly before Griffin replaced Clement.
After a drinks break on 70, and the introduction of Parker for Cater, WBA’s 15 ran through with just Singh to beat but the Lambs keeper pushed him wide and the chance was lost.
Yeomans replaced Curley on 72 and it looked like The Lambs bagged an equaliser from a floated header and close attention by McKeown on 79, but a foul was called against the keeper who had punched the dropping ball into his own net, to save his blushes.
A foul on Creaney on the left of the box set up Milnes with the deadball on 81 and after a lengthy discussion with the referee Creaney took his position up in the box but a foul on the Baggies defender by the Lambs striker halted play.
The visitors extended their lead on 86 with a close range finish at the far post from number 15 following in a left sided cross which evaded the Lambs defence and was too far away from Singh for him to get to it first. (1-3, 86 mins)
McKeown forced the keeper into a one handed stop for a corner on the left on 87 and despite a late flurry of attacking play the scoreline remained intact at the final whistle.

Tamworth
Singh, Curley (Yeomans 72), Fairlamb, Mussa, Collard, Howkins (Smith 83), McKeown, Milnes, Creaney, Clement (Griffin 63), Cater (Parker 70)

West Bromwich Albion XI
Cann, Ingram, Shaw, Ashworth, Taylor, Nguepissi, Faal, Fellows, Zohore, Cleary, Andrews
Subs: Mitchell, Hudd, Tullock, Malcolm, Richards, Wangusi, Hall, trialist

Referee: Mr. Chalkely

Attendance: 394