Blues 2 Tamworth 2

The Blues were denied consecutive home victories as Tamworth fought back to claim a point in a MATCH SPONSORED BY POWERCLEAN CHEMICALS LIMITED.

The Blues started the game missing the unavailable Tom Bullard so Kyle Hammond returned to right back, with Harry Knights moving to centre-back and Joe Jefford started as captain. Byron Lawrence and Matt Blake came into the starting line up, while Dominic Docherty and Noel Aitkens dropped to the bench.

Kyle Finn had the games first shot on goal but his effort fell on top of Marcus Garnham’s crossbar. Kyle Hammond had Leiston’s first chance on goal but put his shot wide, however Leiston did take the lead on 7 minutes. Marcus Garnham’s long kick down the pitch was flicked on by Matt Blake and Jake Reed got in behind the away defence to finish well through the legs of Jas Singh. Moments later, play was held up as Patrick Brothers and Chris Henderson clashed heads but were ok to continue. Alan Verma went close with a free kick from close range, while centre-back Regan Upton had to be substituted after another delay. Byron Lawrence had an excellent run and he was brought down on the edge of the area, with Paul Green being booked for the foul. Lawrence then got up to curl the set piece just over Jas Singh’s goal. The Blues doubled their lead with seven minutes of the half remaining. Once again, a well worked moved saw Matt Blake go over in the box and Christy Finch smashed home the penalty. Leiston had a couple more chances before the break but couldn’t add to their tally.

Tamworth made a double substitution at the start of the second period, and they started to get more of a foothold in the game. Matt Blake intercepted a ball with some hesitant away defending but after pulling the ball back to Christy Finch the move came to nothing. Joel Kettle’s strike seemed to be moving for Marcus Garnham’s bottom right hand corner, but Kyle Hammond cleared the ball off the line. Ryan Beswick’s free kick was well saved to his right by Marcus Garnham but Tamworth got back into the match on 61 minutes when Chris Lait latched onto a ball that split the home defence and buried the ball into Marcus Garnham’s bottom right hand corner. Tristan Dunkley’s cross from the right flank was well caught by Marcus Garnham as the visitors were applying a lot of pressure. Akwasi Asante levelled after dribbling past Joe Jefford and rifling the ball into the net, giving Marcus Garnham no chance. Tyrell Waite shot high and wide shortly after play had restarted, and Marcus Garnham saved well to his left from the same player. Both teams had chances to win it but both had to settle for a point in the end.

FT - Blues 2 Tamworth 2

Blues - Garnham, Hammond, Dunbar, Brothers (Docherty 77 mins), Jefford, Knights, Lawrence, Henderson, Reed, Finch, Blake (Ramadan 86 mins). Subs not used:- Eagle, Garrard and Lay-Fulcher.

Tamworth - Singh, Green (Beswick 45 mins, Blaney (Asante 45 mins), Green, Upton (Kettle 29 mins), Wright, Finn, Verma, Waite, Dunkley, Lait. Subs not used - Shaw and Morris.

Match Sponsors POWERCLEAN CHEMICALS LIMITED Man of the Match - Kyle Hammond

Attendance - 329