The F.A. Cup Second Qualifying round brought me to Tamworth to see the step 2 home team from the National League North play the step 4 team Harborough Town of the Northern Premier League Midland Division.
You arrive at the ground through some houses and immediately find a large car park with helpers packing everyone in. A kiosk outside the ground sells tickets on the day but it appeared that most either bought on line or were season ticket holders.
Inside the ground it looks very traditional with stands and terraces having evolved over the years. There is a large covered seated stand down most of one side and on the opposite side a covered terrace where most of the local fans congregate and make most noise. Behind one goal is a low covered standing area and at the other a larger open terrace.
The high dull grey sky may have contributed to the look of the pitch that appeared very dark due to a large amount of crumb that lay on the green carpet. The pitch itself sloped from goal area to goal area and was open apart from trees behind one end. A slight breeze made the 18 degrees feel definitely autumnal.
Harborough Town are a new team although there have been previous clubs in the town. Market Harborough is a a growing commuter town that has a busy centre. In 2007 it progressively merged three teams, Harborough Town Juniors, Harborough Town Spencers and Harborough Minis and with the local council developed playing facilities that have benefitted all ages and sexes to create many teams that can use the artificial pitches. After 3 seasons in local Northamptonshire football they gained promotion to The United Counties League again stepping up a league two years later. In 2022 they won the Premier League and are today playing in the Northern Premier League Midland Division where they are currently 13th. A team on the up.
Tamworth FC were formed much earlier in 1933 and after playing in Midlands Leagues they reached the Southern League in 1972, returning again in 1988 after a few years in the doldrums. Their highest league placing was in the old Conference, just one league below the football League. They are currently in the National League North where they sit top after 9 games. Tamworth have a good cup pedigree having won the FA Vase in 1989 and been FA Trophy finalists in 2003.
Tamworth FC v Harborough Town FC
Saturday 16th September 2023 15.00 pm kick off. Lambs v Bees
The Lamb Ground Kettlebrook Road Tamworth B77 1AA
F.A ,Cup Second Qualifying Round
Tamworth played down hill in the first half and initial pressure led to them scoring from a corner after 14 minutes which was disallowed for fouling the Harborough keeper. Things looked grim for the away team when on 20 minutes the referee showed a yellow, then red card to their Connor Kennedy for what looked like kicking the ball away after a tackle.
Harborough though re-grouped and unexpectedly went ahead on 24 minutes when an out swinging corner from the right was met by Paul Malone who unopposed headed it into the middle of the goal for the lead. The away team were mustering a great defence with their very big back four managing to stifle the many home team attacks. I lost count of the referees yellow cards which I think were 4 or 5.
Half time came with Harborough hanging on to their lead and as the teams went off there was the unusual sight of two security guards walking off with the officials.
Half Time 0.1
Tamworth’s relentless pressure paid off just a few minutes after the restart when Kyle Finn ran forward on the right and his cross goal pass was met by Jordan Cullinane-Liburd who slammed it home.
With half of the second half gone Harborough were still holding out and occasionally looked like breaking away to add to their score. The disappointing attendance of 840 were mainly behind the home team and they found their voice when on 85 minutes a beautiful long ball from midfield to the far post was met by substitute Daniel Creaney who nodded the ball into the corner for the lead and win. Having defended magnificently for so long it was a mistake when the defender and keeper hesitated to go for the ball that was their undoing.
The Lambs had taken the sting out of the Bees and progressed to the next round.
Tamworth FC 2 Harborough Town FC 1
My man of the match was Harborough’s Jake Duffy who covered every part of the pitch with his constant running and involvement making up for their one man disadvantage.
The first kiosk we went to had no chips but a spectator directed us to another in a different corner of the ground. Luckily he did because they were the best of the season so far. They were hot, hot, hot but also tasty, uniform, golden, crispy, not greasy and had a good centre. A score of 74.
| payonthegate chip league 2023/24 | |||||
| Football Club | Score | Comments | |||
| Tamworth | 74 | Hot, Hot,Hot | |||
| Basford | 70 | Freshly fried. | |||
| Wombwell Town | 67 | Fries, great golden colour | |||
| Retford United | 65 | Could have been higher | |||
| Kings Lynn | 64 | Good Portion | |||
| Alfreton Town | 60 | 25 minute wait! | |||
| Llangefni Town | 60 | A bit greasy | |||
| Shirebrook Town | 60 | Well down on previous seasons | |||
| Heacham | 0 | No Chips | |||
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