Tamworth
V
Wealdstone
Tamworth v Curzon Ashton
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Tamworth
0-0
Curzon Ashton
Match Report
The Lambs returned to the Compare the Build Community Stadium looking to get back to winning ways and possibly extend the 12 point gap at the top after a first defeat in 14 games in midweek away at third placed Chorley, and welcomed 10th placed Curzon Ashton who had lost just 3 of their ten games to date in 2024..
Andy Peaks made 2 changes to the side that ran out at Victory Road as midweek substitutes Nathan Tshikuna and Chris Wreh replaced the striking partnership from the same game of Ty Deacon and Dan Creaney who took their spots on the bench.
The Lambs got the game underway attacking the Castle End in the first half it was the visitors who had the first chance, when a slip by Willets allowed Spencer to cut in the box from the left and try to find a team mate with a floated cross towards the far post which went out of play unhindered.
A long Tonks throw forced a corner on the left on 7 but a foul in the play from Tonks’ flagkick by Finn prevented anything coming from it, and a searching ball from the same player on 12 just failed to find Willets who had ventured forwards but was denied a header by Waring.
Richards crossed from the right on 15 and it was met by the head of Hayhurst past the far post and had to be dealt with for a corner on the left which Spencer picked up and struck low and on target into a crowded box.
Tamworth countered and Tshikuna was upended by the corner flag on 17 but his freekick was too long and off target, causing Mason no problems.
Curzon forced another flagkick on 18 which Singh caught at height and allowed The Lambs to break quickly, but the visitors got everyone back and when Arlott-John was able to get a shot away it was straight at Mason.
Wreh showed silky skills to get around his marker on 20 but couldn’t recreate it past the next defender, and so Curzon regained possession and forced a corner on the right which came to nothing following a shirt pull from the deadball.
Willets short bouncing back pass to Singh nearly saw the scoring open on 23, but Singh managed to pluck Spencers’ chip over the keeper out of the air one handed to save his teammate’s blushes.
A Tonks throw saw the ball ricochet around the area and out to Wreh on 26, and he foud Cockerill-Mollett in the area who went down under a challenge, but perhaps a little to enthusiastically for the referee to award a penalty against the Curzon man.
On 28, Spencer forced Singh into a superb low save from his powerful glancing header down towards the near post from Richards cross to bring a round of appreciation from the terraces and from the ensuing play, Curzon player-boss Mahon was booked for a foul on Cockerill-Mollett in the centre of the park on 29.
Dolman dealt with another Richards cross on 35, and then made enough way forward to pick his spot and try a shot on 38, which was on target but also at Mason.
Curley released Finn who put a first time cross in on 39 but Tshikuna was unable to keep his feet as the ball came in and Curzon cleared, but only as far as Sundire who tried a volley from 25 yards, but cleared the target.
With two to play in normal time, Mahon forced Singh into another low stop at his left hand post with a low strike from 20 yards which the keeper parried and then recovered.
Two minutes added time was shown at the end of the first half and Hayhurst found space down the left but smashed an off target shot into the area perhaps hoping for a deflection or similar but nothing was forthcoming and the sides went into the changing rooms goalless.
HT 0-0
Curzon restarted proceedings but found The Lambs on the front foot as Arlott-John tried to forge a way through the back line but was unable to.
From a visiting approach, Barton picked a spot and tested Singh on 49, then Tshikuna did similarly, but put the ball into the Meadow Street terrace at the other end.
Richards was involved in another visitors move on 57 and his cross from the right found the head of the shortest play on the field, Mahon, who flicked his free header over the target.
The Lambs created their first clear cut chance of the game on 59 when Wreh passed through the Curzon back line for Tshikuna to run onto, but he was a foot or two offside as he took his shot past Mason, and struck the post anyway.
As Tamworth mounted an attack on 65, Wreh was brought down 30 yards out, setting Tshikuna up with the deadball and a central sight on goal but he lifted his shot high over the target.
Peaks made two changes with 23 to go, and Deacon nearly made his first real touch count, but Arlott-John’s ball into the area missed his outstretched boot by inches and rolled past the far post.
Singh sent a long freekick into the area and Willets headed it back for Finn to strike on target on 77 but Mason pushed it away and Curzon survived before Creaney came on for Wreh for the final 12 minutes.
Deacon advanced over the halfway line and threaded the ball to Finn on the right on 80, and he sent a cross into the area looking for Creaney but it was dealt with by Waring as both sides continued to defend strongly.
Deacon was upended by substitute Hughes as he tried to get the ball over the halfway line on 85 and Tonks freekick was glanced well wide by Willets, under pressure at the back of the box.
Richards Crossfield pass found Spencer on the edge of the box on 89 and he was fouled by Willets and the freekick came to nothing, but Curzon continued to press and packed the box out as six minutes added time was shown.
Tonks loaded a throw on 92 and Curzon loaded the box only to foul Arlott-John as they tried to break out, so Finn sent the freekick in from the right and as second placed Scunthorpe took the lead, Arlott-John jinked into the box but his low shot was easy for Mason to deal with.
Richards sent in a 96th minute corner from the clubhouse corner which Creaney headed away but Waring struck it goalward and Singh pushed it away from danger and the final whistle blew on another point on the board at the top of the table.
TEAMS
Tamworth
Singh (c.), Curley (Cullinane-Liburd 67), Cockerill-Mollett, Finn, Willett, Dolman, Tshikuna (Deacon 67), Arlott-John, Tonks, Wreh (Creaney 78), Sundire
Subs: Reilly, Phillips
Curzon Ashton
Mason, Poshca, Matthews (Hughes 83), Sinclair, Spencer (c.), Hayhurst, Waring, Mols (Allen 72), Richards, Mahon (Campbell 61), Barton
Subs: Storey, Lewis
YC: Mahon 29, Hughes 85
Referee: Mr. David Jones
Assistant: Mr. Joshua Brookland, Mr. Joseph Larkin
Att: 1307
MOM: Chosen by match sponsors Alcon Components and On The Tools: Jas Singh and Chris Wreh
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