Tamworth vs Gresley Rovers
In front of a crowd of over 250, the ICIS Reserve Division top of the table clash between Gresley Reserves and Tamworth turned into a farce as Tamworth manager Darren Gee put out a FULL 1st team including ex Burton Albion players Darren Acton and Darren Grocutt.
Tamworth, currently top of the Dr Martens Premier Division were without a game after being dumped out of the FA Cup by Guisley. They had arranged a friendly at Kettering but when this was postponed on Saturday morning Gee decided to use the Reserve Team fixture instead.
New Signing Carl Slater made his debut joining Carl Timms and Mickey Sandar in a 3 man central midfield. Owen James came into the team as part of a back 3 with Paul Grosse and Nathan Tate. Matt Moran and Earl Alexander started on the flanks with Mykey Pryce and Jon Jenkinson up front.
As expected, Tamworth took control of the early part of the game with some good possession and neat passing but the enthusiasm of the young Gresley team saw them chase and close down at every opportunity.
Tamworth took the lead with their 1st clear-cut opportunity of the game when Mark Sale headed home a Scott Rickards’ pinpoint cross past Ian Roberts in the Rovers goal. Six minutes later, it was 2-0. Paul Grosse's sloppy pass on the halfway line was cut out by Darren Grocutt and set of to start a 5 man passing move that resulted in Rickards cleverly turning Youth and Reserve team defender Nathan Tate to set himself up to shoot home.
Rovers kept on battling and the impressive Timms and Alexander caused the Tamworth midfielders some problems with their pace and dribbling. James, Grosse and Tate were defending as though their lives depended on it and it took Tamworth until the 44th minute to extend their lead. From a corner taken by Mark Turner, Darren Grocutt powered a header home.
Jon Jenkinson had Gresley’s best chance of the half but he failed to get a shot off when well placed before being forced wide. Half time saw the departure of the injured Carl Timms and Owen James. Greg Smith and Dave Roberts came on.
The second half started in similar fashion to the 1st with Tamworth having early possession but Rovers battled well to restrict any clear-cut chances for the home side. Rovers themselves got more into the game with Matt Moran, Carl Slater and Mickey Sandar pulling the strings in midfield.
Earl Alexander shot wide when well placed and Mykey Pryce turned the home defence but his shot was well saved by Acton. Mickey Sander cleared off his own line on 55 minutes and Tate did likewise as Tamworth turned up the pressure again.
The impressive Mark Hallam produced a wonderful goal on 60 minutes dribbling past 3 players in a crowded box before firing an unstoppable shot into the net.
The Gresley midfield and defence were camped on the edge of the box but kept on getting blocks and tackles in to deny and further clear-cut chances to their experienced and well paid counterparts.
Two injury time goals put a dampener on the result as Tamworth’s extra fitness told. Ian Roberts failed to connect with a corner and Hallam was left to head home into an empty net and in the dying seconds Substitute Richard Follet headed home from a Marsh cross.
Final Score:
Tamworth "Reserves" 6
Rovers Reserves 0
1. Ian Robers
2. Mickey Sandar (C)
3. Nathan Tate
4. Paul Grosse
5. Owen James
6. Carl Timms
7. Matt Moran
8. Carl Slater
9. Mykey Pryce
10. Jon Jenkinson
11. Earl Alexander
12. Dave Roberts
14. Greg Smith
15. Ryan Yearsley
