Tamworth  v  Blyth Spartans

Sat 2 Mar - 15:00 National League North

Tamworth

3-1

Blyth Spartans

Match Report

On the back of another point the previous weekend which edged Andy Peaks’ side closer to their goal of the National League North crown, The Lambs welcomed Blyth Spartans to a cold and rain sodden Compare the Build Community Stadium.
When the two sides met earlier in the season at Croft Park Graham Fenton’s Spartans were defeated 1-0 in the 94th minute, and since then had had a change of management with Jon Shaw now at the helm, were placed in 17th ahead of kick off, 6 points above the bottom four and without a win in their last seven outings.

Peaks made three changes to the side that recorded a goalless draw against Curzon Ashton, looking to return to winning ways after a three game run without a three point haul, as Dan Creaney and Ben Milnes started with Jordan Cullinane-Liburd.
Blyth got the game underway but it was The Lambs who had the first chance with just 60 seconds gone when Cullinane-Liburd hooked a bouncing ball into the area on target and Mitchell pushed it over the bar for a corner, and from the flagick the ball came out to Sundire and he whipped it to the far post for Creaney to head home unmarked despite Mitchell’s best efforts (1-0, 2 mins)
And four minutes later it was two, when Wreh turned a low ball into the box from Cullinane-Liburd past Mitchell to lift the roof on The Lamb once again. (2-0, 6 mins)
Gardiner got onto a looping ball into Singh’s area on 7 and powered his header wide of the mark, but Tamworth responded and forced a corner on the right which Willets header well enough but saw cleared away.
And after good play from Sundire in midfield to win the ball, he threaded it through to Wreh who doubled his tally from long range to extend the lead (3-0, 19 mins)
Wreh’s copy book was blotted ever so slightly though, after he was booked for shooting from distance after a foul had been awarded shortly after Blyth restarted the game.
Despite commanding the majority of the drizzle soaked play as the half progressed, chances were limited until Milnes advanced over the hallway line on 35 and found Wreh who flicked the ball into the box but it was cut out by Bodenham before Creaney could connect.
Blyth pulled one back on 39 when a ball drilled into the box from the right evaded everyone and Cook connected at the back of the box to power it past Singh (3-1, 39 mins)
Three minutes added time was shown at the end of the first half and a long Cullinane-Liburd throw was put behind for a right sided corner which Cockerill-Millett got his head to and Blyth put behind for another on the opposite side which came to nothing as the whistle blew

HT 3-1

The Lambs restarted proceedings with the rain bucketing down on the 3G surface but Milnes picked up a booking for brining Siziba to the floor as he tried to skip around the midfield.
The conditions did make it difficult to play at times, but the pace was sustained from the first and The Lambs were looking to add to their total.
Spartans fans celebrated the life of fan Lee Hulme with a minute’s applause on 55, and were quickly joined by home fans on the other three terraces.
And on the hour, a drive from Oliver was put behind by Milnes for a visitors corner which was headed way by Creaney but allowed Blyth to maintain some pressure at the Meadow Street end of the ground.
Siziba’s low ball was put behind by Cullinane-Liburd on 62 for another flagkick and from the ensuing play Hickey just failed to connect with a deep cross to the far post.
Williams replaced Arlott-John with 25 to go, and Cullinane-Liburd launched a throw into the area in the next passage of play but Creaney’s header flicked up and over the target and a similar attack from the other side saw Willets header drop onto the top of the net on 67.
Blyth substitute Hooper seemed to be in the box with the ball at his mercy on 70 but stopped and allowed it to go past him as a chance went begging for the visitors and Creaney was called offside from Williams dragged the ball back into the area from the left on 72.
Mines spotted Mitchell off his line on 74 and tried a long range effort from the right channel and although it beat the keeper it drifted a yard or two wide of the left hand post too.
Wreh took his brace to the bench on 76 as Deacon came on for the remainder, and Williams forced a right sided corner in the next move which fell invitingly for Dolman to sweep at goal and it struck the Blyth defence for a corner which Deacon got his head too but was cleared.
Tonks then replaced Milnes for the final minutes.
Singh mad to make a double save to deny a far post header from captain Deverdics creeping over the line on 86 and then Creaney headed down for Deacon to try first time from 25 yards, but he screwed his shot well wide of the mark.
As Deacon forced Micthell into a good parries stop from a drive on 90, 5 minutes added time was shown and Singh parried McGowans effort deep into injury time to keep the final score at 3-1 at the final whistle.

TEAMS

Tamworth
Singh (c.), Curley, Cockerill-Mollett, Milnes (Tonks 84), Willets, Cullinane-Liburd, Dolman, Creaney, Arlott-John (Williams 64), Wreh (Deacon 76), Sundire
Subs:Tshikuna, Phillips
YC: Wreh 20, Milnes 47

Blyth Spartans
Mitchell, Evans (Clark 70), Bodenham, Hickey, Cook (Hooper 59), Forbes, Deverdics (c.), Oliver, Siziba, McGowan, Gardiner
Subs (4 only):Joisce, Hogan
YC: none

Referee: Mr. Matthew Norton
Assistant: Mr. Reece Davies, Mr. Wiliam Murray

Att: 1246

MOM: Chosen by match sponsors Tomkinson Teal and Graphic Wizard: Ben Milnes and Chris Wreh