Cod Almighty | Match Preview

26 September 2013

Conference Premier

In a nutshell

Midlands. Mid-table. Fair to middling. Like Nuneaton used to be, before they ate their Weetabix.

And like many other opponents at this level, Tamworth pottered around the regional and sub-regional steps of the pyramid for the first few decades of their existence before getting their shit together and reaching the fifth division about ten years ago. They seem a well-run club, apart from the three minutes they were managed by Paul Merson.

Remember Wayne Henderson? That amazing keeper Town loaned from Preston in 2009, who basically kept us up? Tamworth loaned him five years earlier. Ahead of the game, this lot.

Before moving to the Lamb Ground in 1934, Tamworth used to play at the Jolly Sailor Ground. This may well be our favourite name for any football stadium since Shrewsbury vacated Gay Meadow.

On t'internet

There's one of those cute little official websites, you know, with ads for obscure local companies and community events, and that's actually a gajillion times better than Town's.

Better still, though, is a Tamworth FC heritage website. We really hope it isn't, as it appears to be, called 'HERITAGE WEBSITE', but it's a super little repository of all things Lamby and historical. The managers section is particularly strong, packed with ye olde press clippings as well as the stats. Apparently Tamworth were managed by committee until as recently as 1967. Don't tell John: he'll get ideas.

Overall record: P8 W2 D4 L2 F8 A7
At Blundell Park: P4 W1 D2 L1 F4 A3
At their place: P4 W1 D2 L1 F4 A4

Previous encounter: 8 December 2012

Goals early in both halves meant a fairly straightforward win, by Town's complicated standards. Craig Disley rose unmarked to head in the first from a Scott Neilson corner; Tamworth went on to dominate the first half in possession terms but with no goal threat. Ross Hannah sealed it on 50 minutes, but credit is due to James McKeown for saving a mysteriously awarded penalty.

And with those three points Town returned to the top of the table. Never mind, eh.

Last five meetings, home and away
W Grimsby 2-0 Tamworth (Conf Prem, 08/12/2012)
W Tamworth 0-1 Grimsby (Conf Prem, 03/11/2012)
D Tamworth 1-1 Grimsby (Conf Prem, 27/03/2012)
d Grimsby 0-0 Tamworth (Conf Prem, 17/03/2012)
D Grimsby 2-2 Tamworth (Conf Prem, 26/03/2011)

Last four meetings at our place
W Grimsby 2-0 Tamworth (Conference Premier, 08/12/2012)
d Grimsby 0-0 Tamworth (Conference Premier, 17/03/2012)
D Grimsby 2-2 Tamworth (Conference Premier, 26/03/2011)
L Grimsby 0-1 Tamworth (FA Cup, 26/10/2010)

How you doin'?

17th in the Conference Premier: P11 W3 D3 L5 F11 A16 (GD-5) 12pts

In league with...
16th Gateshead 13pts
17th Tamworth 12pts
18th Wrexham 11pts

Recent form
7 points from 18
W Forest Green 1-2 Tamworth (Conf Prem, 24/09/2013)
L Tamworth 0-1 Gateshead (Conf Prem, 21/09/2013)
L Tamworth 0-3 Kidderminster (Conf Prem, 17/09/2013)
D Woking 2-2 Tamworth (Conf Prem, 13/09/2013)
W Tamworth 4-1 Southport (Conf Prem, 07/09/2013)
L Cambridge 3-0 Tamworth (Conf Prem, 31/08/2013)

Goalscoring superstar heroes
Baker (3 goals)
Peniket (3 goals)

Dirty, dirty boys
Richards-Everton (4 yellows, 1 red; 6 points)
Courtney (1 yellow, 1 red; 3 points)

Stat!
Tamworth have failed to score in over half of their games this season

How we doin'?

8th in the Conference Premier: P11 W5 D3 L3 F14 A12 (GD2) 18pts
...shhhhh, quietly now

In league with...
7th Welling 18pts
8th Grimsby 18pts
9th Braintree 18pts

Recent form
8 points from 18
W Grimsby 5-2 Dartford (Conf Prem, 24/09/2013)
d Chester 0-0 Grimsby (Conf Prem, 21/09/2013)
L Halifax 4-0 Grimsby (Conf Prem, 17/09/2013)
W Grimsby 1-0 Braintree (Conf Prem, 14/09/2013)
d Luton 0-0 Grimsby (Conf Prem, 07/09/2013)
L Grimsby 1-2 Nuneaton (Conf Prem, 31/08/2013)

Goalscoring superstar heroes
McLaughlin (2 goals)
Hearn (2 goals)
John-Lewis (2 goals)

Dirty, dirty boys
Colbeck (2 yellows, 1 red; 4 points)
Pearson (4 yellows; 4 points)

Stat!
Town's 14 goals so far this season have been scored by 11 different players

They're Tamworth. They play at the Lamb Ground. They're known as the Lambs. Their mascot is: Tammy the Lamb. Proper. Take note, other non-Leaguers: this is how you do mascots. None of this Car Pet the Gateshead Carpet Warehouse Mouse sponsorship nonsense.

That said, it'll be lambing season when Mighty Mariner gets his flock on. It's shearing time, Mighty!

The odds
Town 5/6 (Coral)
draw 3/1 (Bet Victor)
Tamworth 21/5 (Bet Victor)

We say: the manner of Tuesday's victory and the fact we're at home again stacks things in Town's favour here. Tamworth's form is patchy but not terrible, and they managed a good win away at Forest Green midweek. But still, we're going for another Town win here.

Our record this season
Wins: 5/9
Previously: £1 staked at 17/10 returns £0 (lost)
Pot: £8.11

The ground: Football Ground Guide
Getting there: Google Maps
Gaining entrance: The usual, plus 50p exile tax
Nearest station: Cleethorpes
The weather: Current forecast

From a typical city centre, around 200 to 500 stars are visible to the naked eye. In perfect dark sky conditions, away from urban light pollution, the number may be as high as 45,000.

Mark and Pete
Songs For Walter, Meet Me at The Empire ep
the smell of ironing