Following the home win
on the previous Tuesday evening The Sports kept the same
starting XI, Liam Enver-Marum partnering Jamie Taylor
up front following his 2 goals and impressive all round
performance.
Gary Elphick - Strength In
Defence - Pic : Lee Smith
An early corner saw Nathan
Crabb strike for home as the ball dropped loose in the
area but Daniel Alcock made a fabulous save at the near
post; recovering from a weak punch. On 9 minutes Matt
Crabb lofted an angled ball towards Enver-Marum. The Boro
10 showed his strength to get in front but as he wrapped
his foot around the ball the angle was tightening and
his effort was wide of the near post.
2 minutes later Michael Jordan made a fabulous reaction
save from Tom Shaw, and finally gathered high as the Boro
defence struggled to clear the danger in the box. On 14
minutes a Ben Austin cross was inches too high for Enver-Marum
and Simon Weatherstone unusually volleyed wide as the
ball dropped 10 yards out.
Liam Enver-Marum Tries His Luck - Pic : Lee Smith
Enver-Marum played a wonderful ball into
the path of Jamie Taylor but the defence and the angle
forced his effort and it was gathered easily by Alcock.
The back-four were dealing with everything the visitors
could throw at them, and their distribution to head and
feet was allowing the midfield and strikers to break quickly.
Liam again got in front of his marker on 22 minutes and
his low shot needed saving by Daniel Alcock, by far the
busier of the 2 stoppers. Taylor's low drive 2 minutes
later was 'fumbled' by the keeper but he recovered to
grab as Enver-Marum closed in - another save by the visitors
keeper.
Jamie Taylor Under Pressure - Pic : Lee Smith
Liam tried a shot from distance and a
tight angle on 38 minutes, dealt with by Alcock palming
away beyond the far post before a defensive loose pass
presented the visitors with a half-chance - Jordan saving
without pressure. The final 15 minutes of the half in
no way matched the opening 30, especially for Boro, as
it looked like the late summer Sussex 'heat wave' was
draining the energy from the players limbs. This was compounded
by the few breaks as Mr. Yeo allowed the game to flow.
Taylor and Enver-Marum combined in the box but the Tamworth
defence gathered bodies around the ball to shut down any
shooting opportunities. Taylor shot from outside the area,
but again the direction and power was off and a goal kick
resulted before the half- ended all square.
The Lambs Mass Ranks Deny Liam Enver-Marum - Pic
: Lee Smith
Tamworth brought on Nick Wright for the
2nd 45 but Enver-Marum created the 1st chance as he cut
the ball back from the bye-line on 47 minutes; unfortunately
Taylor couldn't connect. Liam was put through by Taylor
3 minutes later but as he lined up his shot he was tackled
- a corner scant reward for a great ball and movement.
On 55 minutes Liam got his just rewards for another excellent
performance. Ben Austin won the ball and went to surge
forward. As he was felled he managed to prod the ball
forward. With the referee playing advantage Liam took
the ball off and past the last man and fired home low
for 1-0.
Jamie Taylor Halted - Pic : Lee Smith
This inspired the visitors and the following
5 minutes saw Tamworth in the driving seat, skipper Christopher
Smith nodding goal ward from a corner, Crabb blocking.
A corner in the 59th minute was only half cleared following
a rebound off the post; and as the ball ricocheted around
the box Jake Sheridan hooked the ball home for the equaliser.
Neil Jenkins delivered a fine and measured cross deep
towards Simon Weatherstone at the back post but the No.
14 was just to late arriving to plant his header home.
On 68 minutes the visitors were awarded a free-kick 20
yards from goal; Michael Blackwood's shot was only inches
beyond wide to Jordan's right.
Jamie Taylor's Late Effort - Pic : Lee Smith
On 81 minutes an incredible block saw
Boro denied as the ball arced goal ward - many in red
on and off the pitch sure a hand was used but Mr. Yeo
was unmoved. Dan Smith was denied by a last ditch hook
clear by Richard Tait as The Sports pushed for a winner;
Matt Crabb slinging the ball deep beyond the far post.
Tamworth again resorted to last ditch blocks and scrambles
as Boro peppered their goal - Enver-Marum, Weatherstone
and Taylor all denied. In the closing minutes of the 90
Tamworth won a corner committed players forward; but Simon
Russell shot high and handsome from 30 yards. Enver-Marum
was pole axed in the box; Mr. Yeo again unmoved, but his
back-heel found Taylor on the bye line. He got the ball
over Alcock but against the bar - an incredible effort.
Enver-Marum, Taylor, and Smith broke at pace but Smith's
effort from wide was caught by the keeper at head height.
The official finally called time with
the added minutes at 6 rather than the added 4 !!!, and
the Boro terrace and dressing room were left to reflect
on a game they dominated in play, territory and chances.
No doubt many were disappointed with the score after witnessing
the game - but it must be remembered that Tamworth started
the day in the play-off positions and again have the benefit
of full-time training and 'rest'.
Words : Lee Peskett
