Tamworth  v  Buxton

Sat 6 Jan - 15:00 National League North

Tamworth

2-0

Buxton

Match Report

The Lambs welcomed Buxton to the Compare The Build Community Stadium for the opening game of 2024 on the back of a perfect 12 out of 12 in the final four games of 2023 sitting pretty in second on goal difference behind Scunthorpe United ahead of kick off.

Andy Peaks made no changes to the side that ran out at Rushall Olympic before New Year while the visitors, under Craig Elliot, featured two ex-Lambs in Eoin McKeown and Max Brogan.

With the National League TV cameras broadcasting from the main stand again, Buxton got the game underway with The Lambs attacking the Meadow Street End.
And it was a tentative opening from both sides as the ball skipped around but neither could take control although the visitors did start to retain the ball more as the minutes ticked by, without really threatening in the Lambs final third.
Then, Finn’s cross from the right was knocked out for a Tonks throw on 10 and it bounced agonisingly untouched in the box and out past the far post with the visiting fans holding their breath as it went out to safety.
After a foul on Tshikuna on the right on 15, Finn’s deep freekick looked destined for Cullinane-Liburd but visiting captain Shiels got his head there first and Buxton were able to slow things down and force Tamworth to rebuild.
On 20 Acquaye made a strong run down the left and Tonks received his short pass which in turn brought a throw and despite it dropping invitingly in the area a foul on keeper Dearnley halted play.
Acquaye and Tshikuna then linked up down the same side of the pitch but the latter’s through ball was just too long for him to catch before it ran over the touchline.
A foul on Sheils in the right channel on 24 by Acquaye set up a freekick which Brogan played short to De Girolamo who took two touches but saw his low strike blocked and cleared.
Buxton retained possession though with Elliot and Minihan combining for force a corner and Shiels headed down at Singh who parried and smothered his on target effort.
At the other end Tonks sent another throw into the box on 28 and Cullinane-Liburd flicked a header up and over the keeper but also onto the top of the goal netting and Dearnley caught a similar attack on 33.
A Lambs corner was flicked away for one on the opposite side on 36 which was headed away back to the opposite side again for Tonks to launch at the six yard box but Brogan for a toe in before Finn could strike at the loose ball.
The Lambs seemed to assert themselves more with 5 to go as Acquaye got clear of his marker and pulled it back for Finn, but he was denied a sweeping finish at the far post by Hull.
McKeown upended Acquaye in the centre of the park on 43 and Cullinane-Liburd’s header from the long freekick was flicked over the bar for a left sided corner. Tonks found the sae teammate but Buxton cleared and broke down the left through Bapaga and the visitors retained possession and forced a right sided corner in added time.

HT 0-0

The Lambs restarted proceedings attacking the Meadow Street end of The Lamb and started on the front foot but Jellis’ strike curled up and away from the target inside the first minute.
A fine run by McKeown on 52 saw him go past Fairlamb on the right wing and drive the ball into the box, but Bapaga’s strike, in comparison, left a lot to be desired as the ball left the ground, cleared a Meadow Street house and bounced back into the stadium via a garden.
Curley took the initiative on 55 as his quick throw eventually found Finn but his strike from 25 yards skimmed the outside of the left hand upright with Dearnley in full flight.
McKeown forced Singh to protect his near post on 56 and another quick move nearly bore fruit but Tshikuna’s through ball to Finn was just too long and Tonks then tried his luck from a similar position but angled his shot wide of the other post.
Creaney came on for Wreh with 30 to go in a bid to mix things up in the Lambs attack, and there were shouts for a penalty when Acquaye went down under a strong challenge on 68, but a corner was the result which was headed away.
Brogan was booked for a foul on Acquaye on 71 and it allowed The Lambs to build an attack but when the ball went out of play Tonks long throw was dealt with before Milnes came on for Tshikuna.
The ball bounced nicely for Creaney on 73 to look up and strike from 25 yards but his effort rose over the crossbar and Buxton took the opportunity to take the ball upfield and force a corner which Hull headed cleanly from 18 yards, but it dropped onto the roof of the net.
Tamworth and Buxton made their final changes with 10 remaining, and with it brought a goal when Jellis struck from distance and it took a massive and wicked deflection off Hull to take it past Dearnley and lift the roof on The Lamb (1-0, 82 mins)
From a right sided cross into the danger area, substitute Osbourne was denied a far post finish on 88 by an outstretched defensive boot in amongst a crowded area, while at the other end Williams sprinted through to take the ball into the box on 89 but his low cross was too quick for anyone to reach and four minutes added time was shown.
De Girolamo got a rare sight of goal as the minutes ticked down and tried an audacious overhead effort which Singh was happy to watch go past the post, but at the other end Creaney released Finn to go one on one with the keeper and he angled it past the advancing keeper to make sure of the victory (2-0, 90+4 mins) and send The Lambs back to the top of the league.

Tamworth:
Singh, Curley, Finn, Fairlamb, Acquaye (Williams 81), Cullinane-Liburd, Dolman, Tshikuna (Milnes 72), Jellis, Tonks, Wreh (Creaney 62)
Subs: Deacon, Willets

Buxton:
Dearnley, Shiels (Hunt 70), Kirby, De Girolamo, Elliot, Minihan, Hull, McKeown (Osborne 81), Brogan, Bapaga (Mottley-Henry 65), Francis-Angol
Subs: Wright, Horbury
YC: Brogan 71

Referee: Mr Eliot Bell
Assistant: Mr Alexander Perkin, Mr Benjamin Stott

Att: 1245

MOM: Chosen by Teambuilder: Matt Curley