Although the quality of this match was never able to match the occasion, that will be of little concern to Tamworth whose victory was enough to secure the Championship, however, a combination of their own nervousness coupled with a dogged display by City meant that for 80 minutes at least, this was a far from comfortable afternoon for the hundreds of visiting supporters who had made the trip from Staffordshire.
With Robbie Simpson on Academy duty in France Rob Sturgess was given a start on the right allowing Danny Bloomfield to revert to a central striking role alongside Kevin Wilkin. Probably the best piece of team news for City though was the naming of Che Wilson amongst the substitutes, the first time he has featured since the rib injury sustained against Bath City ten weeks ago.
After several days of glorious sunshine and high temperatures there was a grey, autumnal feel to a chill Milton Road as the teams kicked off. It was evident from the opening exchanges that the weight of expectation was having an effect on the Lambs as they started cautiously and risked nothing which allowed the Lilywhites to settle and make the brighter opening.
City's Danny Bloomfield and Mark
Turner in a chase for the ball
Darren Acton was the first ‘keeper to see meaningful action when, from a Niven throw on the right, Matt Rice swung in a deep cross to the far post where Adie Hayes rose well sending a header arching goalwards, which forced the former Kidderminster stopper to back-peddle and clutch the ball over his head.
Possibly stung into action by this scare, Tamworth launched their first meaningful attack soon afterwards. Nick Colley made good progress down the right and fired a centre low across the box where Darren Collins span and shot but the ball cannoned off Matt Rice, in close attendance, and behind for a corner. It was Collins again, no doubt keen to score against his former club, who climbed higher than Colin Vowden to get his head to a Brian McGorry centre from the left but the alert Rice was again on hand to tidy up the danger.
Goalmouth action was at a premium but on 20 minutes, after a decent spell of possession, Adie Hayes delivered a centre from the left with which Kevin Wilkin connected but he could only fire wide.
As City began to develop a little more passing cohesion the ball was worked from the left into the feet of Niven in centre field who in turn laid the ball square to Nightingale. Just as he released the pass he was caught by Mark Cooper, a challenge that left both players in need of treatment. Once he returned to his feet Cooper was shown a yellow card by referee McCaul, for the original tackle. Unfortunately for the Lambs’ skipper he never fully recovered and was withdrawn minutes later (Brian McGorry taking over as captain) to be replaced by Steve Evans, who picked up another yellow card as soon as he came onto the pitch, presumably without permission. On 34 minutes this scrappy and disjointed passage of play continued when Darren Collins, injured in an earlier tackle with Martin Davies, was unable to carry on and was replaced by Mark Hallam.
The game then settled and the remaining minutes of the half produced a few brighter moments. Firstly Hayes collected a pass from Wardley on the left hand side of the area and lifted the ball skilfully into a shooting position but the strike failed to match the quality of the touch and allowed Acton to make a comfortable save. Moments later it was Hayes again, featuring prominently when City got forward, who crossed from the left for Wilkin whose overhead kick was well executed but lacking power and again the Tamworth goal was not under serious threat. Acton launched an immediate counter attack feeding the ball out to the left where Richard Follett was quick to spot the forward run of Scott Rickards, an excellent first time ball picked out the former Derby County striker on the edge of the box and he flashed a shot across the City goal.
Tim Wooding is eased out by
Matt Fisher
As the half drew to a close Rickards again found himself with the opportunity to break the deadlock, his lightening pace gave him half a yard on Wardley but as he advanced on Martin Davies his first touch was much too heavy allowing the City ‘keeper to race off his line and gather.
As news filtered through that Tiverton held a 2-0 half-time lead the Lambs knew that only a victory would secure the title this afternoon and for that to happen a significant overall improvement was needed on the opening 45 minutes.
Five minutes into the second period, Nick Colley got his head to a bouncing ball on the halfway line a fraction ahead of Shane Wardley and released Rickards down the left. His pace again enabled him to get into a good shooting position but although Davies palmed his effort behind for a corner it may well have gone wide in any event.
Tamworth were posing more of an attacking threat, on 54 minutes Colley worked the ball into Hallam, with his back to goal, the prolific striker turned neatly, but in keeping with all that had gone before in front of goal, the finish was missing and he fired over.
City certainly lacked the cutting edge of recent home performances, whether it was the absence of the livewire Simpson, fatigue as a result of a gruelling Cup Final on Monday night or just the fact that the Tamworth midfield worked very hard to deny them space, clear cut openings were few and far between. Just short of the hour mark Wardley curled a long inswinging pass down the left touchline which cleared Rob Warner and allowed Rob Nightingale to steal in ahead of Acton. The City skipper attempted to beat the on-rushing ‘keeper with a lob but his effort sailed harmlessly wide.
Bloomfield reaches the ball before
Mark Turner
Rob Sturgess then picked up a yellow card for kicking the ball away after being penalised for hands.
As City attempted to capitalise on the fact that Tamworth appeared to be below their best the Lilywhites enjoyed their best spell of the match just after the hour mark. Firstly Colin Vowden made a tidy job of clearing the ball and fed Wilkin who in turn played the ball forward to Hayes. Noticing that Danny Bloomfield had peeled off Mark Turner, Hayes centred but with a yard or so of space City’s top scorer couldn’t bring the ball down and the chance was gone. Moments later Hayes collected in centre field and was quick to play an angled ball into the path of Wilkin but the challenge of Rob Warner was enough to force the City striker to fire wide.
Tamworth still possessed enough quality to pose a threat even though they weren’t on top of their game. As the match entered the final 20 minutes Hallam rose highest to meet a free kick from centre field and cushion a header down to Rickards whose first time right foot shot seemed goal bound until Martin Davies dived superbly to his left and diverted the ball away from danger.
As City countered Rob Nightingale picked the ball up in midfield and went on a purposeful run down the left, cutting in he did well to keep the ball alive on the goal line before the challenge of Warner forced a corner. Nightingale took the resultant place kick, although it wasn’t of his usual quality, failing to clear the first man, Colley’s attempted clearance span off the outside of his boot causing an anxious moment for Acton.
Then with 12 minutes remaining came the defining moment of the match. City had failed to deal effectively with the pace of Rickards all afternoon. Having been on the end of several other attacks this time he turned provider. Getting clear on the right he centred for Hallam whose goal bound effort from six yards was miraculously kept out of the net by a scrambling Davies, however the City ‘keeper could only divert the ball into the path of Steve Evans, who evaded the challenges of both Rice and Vowden to smash the ball home from close range.
Nerves settled Tamworth successfully played out the remaining minutes without further alarm. The introduction of Matt Clements for Adie Hayes failing to provide City with the necessary spark to suggest they could get back on terms.
The final whistle signalled wild celebrations amongst the visitors. Over the season few would disagree that they are worthy champions and on the day City were never able to produce the quality or the firepower to gatecrash the party.
Post match reaction
Gary Roberts
I thought we matched Tamworth yesterday in all departments, a very good performance from the players and we showed that we can raise our game. We deserved a point, no doubt about that. Martin Davies may have had to make more saves, but.......more
