TAMWORTH FC has a week off to regather its NIF Premier League attacking thrust.
The Southern Conference PL leaders lost their second game in three weeks last Saturday when beaten 1-nil by South Armidale at Armidale Sportsground.
FC still leads the Southern Conference by two points despite the hiccup in Armidale but could slip to second if OVA Mushies go to Narrabri (for the second time this year) and dispose of the winless Cougars at Hogan Oval.
In the meantime, coach Wayne May and his able assistant Darryl Smith will be working on the spluttering forward line which has failed to impress in a 2-nil loss to Demon Knights, a 3-1 win against Guyra and Saturday’s 1-nil loss to the Scorpions in Armidale.
“The trip up the hill to Armidale was always going to be a tough one for us, with three players making themselves unavailable at the last minute,” a disappointed May said of a day where second grade also lost 2-nil.
“We only had minimum players for the two games but it was no excuse for first grade as they were at full strength.
“The game started fairly even, with both teams feeling their way into the game even though Tamworth FC had the first good chance with Jarryd May hitting the post and the ball rebounding across the goal line and staying out, a sign of things to come.
“I thought we were getting on top with good possession only to see moves breaking down in the last third.
“When the Scorpions were awarded a dubious penalty Harry Young stepped up to take it, but goalkeeper Juan Blanco made a fine save to keep the score to nil-all at halftime.”
Tamworth continued its possession game in the second half by putting better pressure on South’s players but when the Scorpions received a freekick on the right hand side of the penalty box, the set play found an unmarked Young to easily head home the goal.
In the last 15 minutes Tamworth threw everything at the Scorpions but they scrambled well and repelled continuous attacks.
“Even a generous six minutes of injury time was not enough for us to find an equaliser,” May said.
He said Tamworth’s best was man of the match Jarryd May.
“His darting runs caused all sorts of problems for South Armidale’s defence.
“Chris Soto again worked hard in the midfield and Scott May and Robert Jeffery dealt with the counter attacks comfortably on most occasions.
“We are playing some attractive football but that sometimes does not win games.
“We have to start converting the numerous chances we are creating,” May said.
This Saturday has four games scheduled, with Narrabri Cougars hosting Oxley Vale Attunga, Gunnedah Imperials and Gunnedah United at home to Moree FC and South Armidale respectively and Demon Knights chasing a fifth successive win at Wee Waa’s Captain Cook Oval.
o Premier League clubs are reminded to complete NDL match reports and return via e-mail or fax on Saturday evenings.
Failure to do so means no coverage.
Response from a number of PL clubs has been poor.
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