A FOUR-goal haul from Billy Webb ignited Tamworth FC to a three-goal win over Oxley Vale Attunga in their Northern Inland Premier League match-up at Johnson Field on Saturday.
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The Englishman has been a revelation for FC up front since his arrival and was the difference as they toppled the previously undefeated Mushies 4-1.
The Mushies struck first through Luke Purcell but a first-half double to Webb put FC ahead 2-1 at the break.
He popped in another two in the second half to hammer home FC’s advantage and take his personal tally to eight following a hat-trick last week.
The win sees FC jump to third in the southern conference standings, and delighted coach Darryl Smithnot only for the result itself but the way they played.
“We had a plan and we stuck to it,” Smith said.
“I play a system, which I have been trying to instill in the guys.”
He said once they got on top they just controlled the game.
“We played good constructive football,” he said.
“We kept it down and took advantage of Billy.
“Billy just knows where to be.
“He knows his run and today the balls went to where he was running.”
Aptly nicknamed Funnel, Webb has added another dimension to the FC frontline.
“He’s just added a bit more punch up front,” Smith said.
Both sides finished without a full complement, with the Mushies losing Luke Purcell to two yellow cards with about half an hour to go and then Chris Fenton in the final minute after Matt Gardner (FC) was sent off in the last couple of minutes.
“To me, they were stupid cards in the second half when the game was over,” Smith said.
He thought Gardner and Sam Williams had strong games at the back.
They covered the Mushies strikeforce pretty well.
He also made mention of Jack Byrnes, Michael Roberts and Zac Kam’s efforts, along with Webb.
Not surprisingly, OVA coach Tim Coates felt Webb’s impact was decisive.
“They were too good,” Coates said.
“The two English boys, Michael Roberts and Webb, were very creative.”
Roberts played in a holding midfield and Coates thought they gave him a bit too much space.
“It was a great get-square from the first game,” he said.
OVA won that 4-1 but neither Roberts or Webb played then.
They made a “significant difference”.
“They’ve added an enormous amount of value,” Coates said.
For them, he said, Troy Keyte made some good saves.
Cameron Skewes also had a good game, despite the player he was marking (Webb) scoring four goals.
