Tamworth vs Gresley Rovers
Friendly fire guns down slack Rovers – Burton Mail
Tamworth, using no fewer than 26 different players, took full advantage of Gresley’s defensive frailties to record a comprehensive victory in a low-key friendly at the Lamb last night.
Yet curiously the Beazer Midland Division side chose to play most of the first half with only ten men after central defender Martin Finn had been led off with a head injury in the 15th minute.
Gresley also had problems when they had to send on Gil Land in place of concussion victim Richard Denby before Danny Martin closed in to convert a Darren Marsh’s cross as Simon Harrison stayed rooted to his line to give Tamworth a 25th minute lead.
Within minutes Craig Weston had prodded home a close range equaliser before Marsh met Dave Butler’s free-kick with a firm header off the underside of the bar.
Tamworth had a complete change of personnel during the interval and secured a comfortable victory as Rovers were rocked by a three goal blast in a five minute spell mid-way through the second period.
Dave Travis was left unmarked to pick his spot, a misplaced pass from John Barry made a gift of Tamworth’s fourth for Darren Dixon and then Travis took full advantage of some shadow marking to help himself to his second of the night.
Tamworth (2) 5
Gresley Rovers (1) 1
Scorers: Marsh 25, 38, Travis 75, Dixon 78, 80 (Tamworth); Weston 29 (Gresley Rovers).
