Tamworth Men's Seconds Vs Sutton Coldfield 6

Tamworth Men’s 2nd’s travelled to local rivals Sutton Coldfield this weekend in what turned out to be a tight affair.

Tamworth started the stronger of the two sides and held some good possession in the Sutton half, though Sutton remained solid in their defensive set up and used their width well to counter act Tamworth’s pressure.  There was a few nearly moments for the away side early on and it eventually paid off when Jez Holloway showed some good skill and fired in a ball to Dave Belson who controlled well and neatly slotted the ball home past the oncoming Keeper.  Tamworth seemed to relax and that always spells danger as within just 3 minutes time Sutton who were fired up by conceding, bounced back a ball struck into the D with venom was cleverly diverted off the stick and flew in above the GK shoulder, leaving him no chance and this levelled the match at the end of the first half.

Sutton who had a good shape and had good play out on the wings nearly took the lead into the 2nd half but thanks to Oxley in goal making a neat save.  Tamworth changed their shape at half time to a more traditional 4-4-2 and this proved a masterclass as this stopped Sutton from using the wide areas as well as they had and gave Tamworth a slight advantage.  The 2nd half saw chances for Belson, Holloway & Blenkinsop all saved and thwarted by the Sutton GK who made a number of good saves keeping the match level.  Late in the 2nd half a quick free hit saw Hancox and Blenkinsop combine and a ball in to Holloway, who again turned provider found that man Belson, who again instantly controlled the ball and tucked it away almost a carbon copy of the first goal, it gave Tamworth the lead 2-1 and the 3 points on the day in what turned out to be a really well contested match.  Some stand out performances by Olly Bowyer and also new signing Phil Blenkinsop who picked up the Man of the Match award.