Tamworth  v  Chester

Sat 16 Mar - 15:00 National League North

Tamworth

0-0

Chester

Match Report

A record attendance of 2205 for Tamworth in the National League North witnessed an entertaining 0 - 0 draw against Chester. It was perhaps ironic that the two teams with the meanest defences in the league should fail to score, but the game was certainly not without its goal-mouth incidents.

Tamworth Manager Andy Peaks reflected, “It was a good game between 2 well organised teams, but felt we didn’t put on the show for the fans that I wanted. Chester are a good side and if I am honest they had the better of the chances. We didn’t pass the ball well, but ultimately it is another point on our journey and I have to be pleased with that.”
For Chester, manager Calum McIntyre was in agreement. “It certainly wasn’t a drab 0 - 0 draw, and for us I was pleased with the performance. To come away to the top of the league and play a very well organised team, I felt we edged it if I'm honest. I’m just a little frustrated we have not converted one of the 3 really good chances we had."
Tamworth went into the game seeking to solidify their position at the top of the table. The visitors, however, were looking for important points themselves to cement a place in the playoffs. Chester, cheered on by a vociferous following of 605 fans looked to make an early breakthrough but the Lambs defence held firm as a couple of efforts sailed wide of the target. The first half was a close fought affair with Tamworth’s best chance coming from a Cockerill-Mollett shot in the 24th minute that was well taken by Stanway in the Chester goal.
Chester had a couple of good chances towards the end of the half, firstly Dolman at the heart of the Tamworth defence did well to block a dangerous cross form Burke, then Caton headed wide from a good position.
The second half started in a similar fashion with Chester taking the game to Tamworth forcing a couple of corners, before Tamworth captain Milnes sent a volley inches over the visitors goal in the 53rd minute from 20 yards out.
Chester almost grabbed the lead in the 78th minute when substitute Tollitt brought the best out of Singh in the Tamorth goal, then he had to be alert two minutes later, grabbing the ball on the line from a Burke header as the visiting fans thought it had gone in.
It was the Seals who finished the stronger, but in the end the two best defences kept their goals against column intact and Tamworth remain 13 points clear at the head of the table.

Tamworth (4-4-1-1)
Singh, Curley, Dolman, Cullinane-Liburd, Cockerill-Mollett (Tonks 86), Finn, Milnes (c.), Sundire, Aquaye (WIlliams 69), Wreh (Deacon 81), Creaney
Subs not used: Enoru, Tsikuna

Chester (4-4-2)
Stanway, Woodthorpe, Williams, Roberts, Burke, Weeks, Glendon, Whitehouse, Murray, Caton (Tollitt 73), Peers
Subs not used: Thomas, Norton, Heywood, Coats.

Referee: Mr Lee Hibble
Assistants: Jordan Griffiths, Richard Morris

Attendance: 2205 (605 Chester)

Match report courtesy of the Non League Paper