Needham Market  v  Tamworth

Tue 8 Nov - 19:45 Southern League Premier Central

Needham Market

3-2

Tamworth

Match Report

Matchday 20:

Following the goalless point at home to Redditch at the weekend The Lambs made the first of two long trips into Suffolk in a week with a visit to Bloomfields.
The Marketmen had been defeated 2-0 by Burton Albion in the FA Cup in their last run out, while Andy Peaks Lambs’ home point heralded the end to the nine match winning run, but still made it 10 without defeat, as they side looked for more of the same ahead of a trip to third placed Leiston at the weekend.
Without the services of Alex Collard, Cameron Howkins and Jordan Clement from the weekend, Peaks made three changes with Gift Mussa returning in midfield following suspension alongside Liam Dolman and Ben Hart in defence.

Tamworth got the game underway attacking the board room / 3G training pitch end of the ground but the home side were quick off the mark too and forced a number of corners at the other end, with Hammond and the Morphew brothers linking with Ingram as Needham pushed for an early breakthrough.
They restricted Tamworth to hopeful balls forwards for Creaney and Deacon to chase down, and after fourth home course in eight minutes, The Lambs broke through the back line from Singh’s clearance with Deacon finding George who threaded the ball through to Finn but his goalbound shot on the angle was stopped well by Garnham.
ingram poked the ball wide when well place on 17 and Frimpong continued to be a nuisance to The Lamb midfield and defence with a right footed shot which Singh saved, pushing it out on the right for a corner. Brother rose highest for the flagkick but was unable to make a good contact at the far post.
Bennett unleashed a shot from a mazy run on 27 which was easy enough for Singh but when Frimpong combined with Hammond and another flagkick resulted, McGrath found space in the middle of the Lambs defence to head home from a few yards out (1-0, 30 mins)
Hammond centred the ball from the right for Brothers on 32 and Singh batted his effort away, before Ingram struck well wide from the edge of the box on 35 and as the first half drew to a close Brothers fed Hammond but his shot was straight at the keeper.
From the ensuing play, Mussa knocked the ball to Creaney who turned it into the path of Finn and he made no mistake with a low finish for the equaliser (1-1. 45+1 mins) and after a shaky start to the half, The Lambs finished the half on the up although Creaney was clattered in the box and was grateful of the whistle when it blew.

HT 1-1

There was no surprise that Jones replaced Creaney before the home side restarted the match and immediately exerted pressure on Singh’s goal.
Hammond saw his shot deflected wide of the post for a corner, Jones sliced the clearance behind for another and McGrath headed wide o the made.
Ingram then threaded a chance for Frimpong but he chose to try and set up a teammate rather than shoot when well-placed and the ball came back out to Ingram who cleared the target with his shot form 18 yards and Bennett made another good run on 54 but again shot over the target.
George made way for McKeown, making his first appearance since scoring a brace at home to Boldmere in the FA Cup a dozen games previously, and he made an instant impact turning the ball home from close range to give The Lambs the lead after Curley’s deep throw from the right had been turned into the box by Deacon. (1-2, 65 mins)
However, Needham responded and when Bradley was booked for a foul on Brothers on the left wing it set up the home side with a freekick which Morphew headed home off the underside of the bar to level the tie. (2-2. 73 mins)
And four minutes later The Marketmen regained the advantage after a slip in The Lambs midfield involving Fairlamb allowed them to advance and substitute Crane to finish past Singh (3-2, 77 mins)
Jellis replaced Bradley as the final ten minutes came into view but The Lambs were unable to forge a third goal despite five minutes added time.
And Singh went up for two corners in the final minute but was unable get onto the ball in a crowded box before the final whistle blew on just The Lambs second defeat of the season.

Needham Market
Garnham, Hammon, Dye, Frimpong, K. Morphew, D. Morphew, Ingram, Fitzgerald (Collard 70), McGrath (Crane 67), Brothers, Bennett (Lay 67)
Subs: Cullum, Knights
YC: Lay 76

Tamworth
Singh, Curley, Fairlamb, Mussa, Hart, Dolman, Finn, Bradley (Jellis 77), Creaney (Jones HT), Deacon, George (McKeown 61)
Subs: Fallows, Cockerill-Mollett
YC: Bradley 73, Fairlamb 80, Hart 83

Referee: Mr. Morris-Sanders

Att: 233