Tamworth stave off late burst to claim vital win
Mar 30 2009 by Colin Stoner, Birmingham Mail
TAMWORTH warmed up for tomorrow’s potential title decider at Southport with a vital but hard-earned 2-1 victory against visitors Fleetwood Town.
It looked plain sailing when the Lambs raced into a two-goal lead after Michael Blackwood and Gareth Sheldon netted inside the opening nine minutes.
Man-of-the-match Blackwood, making his home debut, needed just six minutes to make an impact, slipping the ball past Michael Hale. Three minutes later, Blackwood was the creator when he provided a right-wing cross and top -scorer Sheldon headed his 23rd goal of the season.
But Gary Mills’ men suffered a few anxious moments late on after Steven Connors pulled a goal back before he was sent off six minutes from time for a second yellow card.
Tamworth, who have signed striker Gary Ricketts from Hucknall Town, remain level on points with league leaders Gateshead, but the Lambs have two games in hand. Third-placed Southport, however, are the big danger as they lie six points behind Tamworth, having played two matches fewer.
Solihull Moors remain the Blue Square North’s form team after extending their unbeaten run to nine matches with a 3-2 win at home to Burscough.
The increasingly confident Moors swept into a two-goal lead after just 24 minutes of action at Damson Park thanks to strike partners James McPike and Jake Edwards.
McPike flicked on Lee Collins’ long ball after nine minutes for Edwards to smash in the first goal and then Edwards’ through-ball sent McPike in on goal to add a second.
Though Josh Hine gave Burscough a lifeline on 39 minutes with a low shot past goalkeeper Dan Crane, Moors restored their two-goal lead before the break through Jake Sedgemore’s curling free-kick.
Craig Davies set up a worrying few moments for Solihull when he struck for Burscough on 65 minutes and they had Tom Bonnar to thank for a goal-saving challenge on Hine.
A stunning strike from Jack Byrne earned Redditch United a crucial 2-1 win at fellow strugglers Farsley Celtic to boost their survival hopes.
The young midfielder headed the 53rd-minute decider after Carl Heggs started the move and Byrne and Asa Charlton produced a one-two to unlock the defence.
The Reds’ first goal had been even more spectacular when Gary Hay cracked a 30-yard volley past home goalkeeper Curtis Aspden on 32 minutes.
But Farsley levelled moments later when Mark Jackson fired in from close range.
Redditch now lie three points clear of the drop zone and they can help their cause tomorrow when they travel to Blyth Spartans, the team immediately below them in the table.
n In Blue Square South, Worcester City had to settle for a goalless draw at home to Dorchester. Marco Adaggio went closest to a goal but his shot hit the crossbar.
