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Stock seemed to hold, with Browning going forward. Foley wasn’t really left-side, but all over the left-half of the pitch. But Stock came forward, fed Surman, & from the corner Hayter headed over.
Tamworth were also playing football, looking to come forward but not in great numbers. Foley had a shot from inside-right, then over-hit a free-kick from that side. Cooper showed good skill in defence, & Hart seemed composed. With occasional assistance from Surman & Foley, he patrolled the left wing. Exiles chair Steve suggested that in 2 years he’d make a good centre-half; he’s a half-yard short in pace but otherwise steady.
Stock went forward, the defence backing off. He should’ve taken it further for a shot, but instead laid it off & the move fizzled out.
By the 20-minute mark, Tamworth were fading but holding & covering well. Indeed, it began to feel like a training game, with Cherries playing flowing football but not hurting the Conference side. Foley was quick & sharp everywhere; Surman played right across the park in forward midfield, & is so good at staying upright in the tackle. Hayter fell over a defender in the ‘D’, but we were given a free – which Stock hit into the wall.
Tamworth did have a shot – at Stewart. But there was a lack of passion, & the disappointingly small crowd was quiet. Inevitably, this led to a lack of concentration; midfield had collective amnesia, Hart let the ball bounce over his head, leaving central defence exposed, & the 21 raced through for a shot. Stewart’s excellent save went to the no.8, who mis-hit the tap-in from 12 yards. I was right behind the line; it seemed to drift out then fell over the line. 0-1, 29 min.
The home response was to continue as before. Stock was mercurial; some passes too good for his colleagues (like Jimmy Case 12-13 years ago), others brilliant (not least to O’Connor), others poor, & too often he dwelt on the ball. But Browning made a few mistakes all through the game.
Tamworth were well-organised, until giving away another (genuine) free in the ‘D’. This time Stock lifted it into the keeper’s top right-hand corner & raised his hand in acknowledgement. 44 min, 1-1. No more action before the whistle.
HT: 1-1
With Cherries playing towards the North End, we looked forward to an extravaganza of football & goals. Hart kept up a supply of good searching crosses, and we seemed to have more movement but less shape. Tamworth kept their shape, looking to score. Stock went through but his left-footer was weak. Perhaps the best pass of the game was a 60-yarder from Cooper to the right corner-flag, which O’Connor just kept in & crossed. O’Connor played mostly as a winger; he’s game & committed, but he should be supporting a winger, not be one.
Our final ball was poor; we just huffed & puffed. The management realised the problem - too many James’ so 1 had to go & Cooke replaced Keene on 69. Straight away, Cooke’s chip allowed Hayter to head wide at the far post, after another great ball to O’Connor. Tamworth keeper still dodgy on crosses & rooted to his line; Young’s good run & cross saw Hayter hook wide. Cooke shot just wide, & Stock tried a long cross-shot from a wide free – but it went wide. A cross from Surman was headed for a corner – but the goal wouldn’t come.
A rare Tamworth attack saw Browning’s arm go up involuntarily. From my seat (East stand, N132), it looked more arm than shoulder. Not deliberate, but a definite pen. The 14’s shot was saved too well by Stewart; 14 was first to the ball & tapped it in. 82 mins, 1-2. I think the ref. was right on this one. Overall, each side gained the correct no. of free kicks, but not necessarily from the corresponding incidents. He certainly missed other hand-balls.
Cherries seemed to be an isotope of the Griffin Park heroes; the nucleus lacked a few neutrons. Dani came on for Hart on 83, but I’m not sure he even had a touch. Coutts replaced Browning on 84, releasing Cooke to put in one that Hayter just missed with a low dive. Hayter had yet another header wide – the trademark of this disappointing game. FT: 1-2.
We’ve been here before. I was on the South End in Dec.’70 for Yeovil’s 0-1. I seem to recall they wore all–white, not green. I went to the Tamworth 0-1 Bromsgrove FACQ4 game in late ’91; we then beat Bromsgrove. Those clubs’ fortunes have swapped; having noted Tamworth’s results & rise these last few years I’m full of admiration for p/m Mark Cooper & his board – a good balance of ambition & realism. Then there was Acrid Town Stanley 2 seasons back, with a strong game-plan & discipline snuffing us out. Ditto Walsall 29/8/05; they wore all-white & had a massed defence. Pretty moves around the ‘D’ were crowded out.
We lack wit & invention, & a target man - someone with Supa’s build & Hayt’s jumping ability. But to try to find something positive, the kids are enthusiastic & willing to learn. In 2 years we’ll have a good strong squad if we keep most of them, but circumstances perforce require us to play too many of them too early. It’s all about the getting of wisdom – football instinctive knowledge.
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AFCB: Stewart, Hart, Young, Cooper, O'Connor, Foley, Browning, Stock, Surman, Keene, Hayter
Subs: Moss, Rodrigues (on for Hart, 84), Coutts (on for Browning, 86), Purches, Cooke (on for Keene, 69)
Peter Wicks, Greenford