Diamonds were knocked out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle on Saturday as Andy Peaks brought his high-flying Tamworth to Hayden Road and left with a 4-0 victory.
Chris Wilmott and Richard Maxwell took charge of Diamonds after the departure of Andy Burgess and they had to make a few changes particularly in defence due to injury and people being cup-tied. Dante Grey came in for his debut alongside Ryan Hughes with Luis Pinto-Leite and Charlie Black forced into unfamiliar full-back positions. Fraser Corden came into midfield alongside Nathan Hicks, Jesse Akubuine and Connor Tee, with Miguel Ngwa playing up front with Jenson Cooper.
Tamworth included Alex Collard and Liam Dolman in their line-up along with Luke Fairlamb and Ty Deacon and started the brighter. Twice they created panic in the Diamonds box with clever balls played in but Diamonds last-ditch defending saw the first one off and Dean Snedker made a good save for the second.
Diamonds were much more dynamic in midfield and forward areas and got in behind Tamworth a few times with Fraser Corden setting up Charlie Black for a rasping effort that was blocked and Miguel Ngwa wriggling free and hitting across the 6 yard line but just out of Jenson Cooper’s reach. The ball was re-cycled and came back in towards Cooper whose flicked header went agonisingly wide.
Diamonds were well in the game at this point and making the Tamworth defence work hard. Connor Tee and Miguel Ngwa combined well on another quick break which saw Ngwa deep into the box and forcing the away keeper to fumble a low shot wide and Ngwa forced another slight fumble from the away keeper with a shot he initially spilled.
Tamworth were always dangerous though particularly coming down the left through Luke Fairlamb and it was down this channel that two quick-fire goals deflated Diamonds. First Kyle Finn on 33 minutes and then Dan Creaney on 38 minutes slid home low crosses from close range.
Alex Collard came close to a goal from a trademark far post header only to be denied superbly by Dean Snedker and Snedker made another tremendous save just before half-time to keep the scoreline at 0 2
Half-time: Diamonds 0 Tamworth 2
Diamonds had a good spell at the start of the second-half with Jenson Cooper coming close to connecting with a great through-ball just two minutes in, Connor Tee had a rasping effort saved and saw another fly just over the bar after a surging run forward. Alex Collard was also booked in this period for stopping a promising Diamonds attack.
Tamworth continued to press though and looked particularly dangerous in the final third forcing Dean Snedker into another tip-over save from point blank range.
The third goal when it came was slightly out of the blue in a quiet even period of the match but was a piece of real quality. Great passing and superb through ball saw Dan Creaney running into the box to apply a superb chipped finish over the out-rushing Dean Snedker.
Diamonds tried to respond through Jenson Cooper who was punished a bit harshly after fighting his way clear in the box and substitute Tyrese Sutherland who gave real energy to the attack and came close to a Jenson Copper cut-back.
Alex Collard had been his usual dangerous presence in the box all after noon and he rubbed salt in the Diamonds wounds by adding a 4th with a far post header on 86 minutes.
There was just time for Tyrese Sutherland to surge forward and strike fiercely from the edge of the box but safely into the Tamworth keepers arms.
Final Score: Diamonds 0 Tamworth 4
Tamworth thoroughly deserved their win with superior quality at both ends of the park The scoreline was harsh on Diamonds who really stepped up in terms of performance, organisation and creating danger in the final third but continued defensive struggles. Still no goals in the last 3 games but there were signs that this team are not far off some goal scoring form. Defensively it was a real challenge and although the back 5 worked so hard they were outdone by some real quality in the end.
Diamonds have 3 home league games on the trot now to try and build on some positive elements from this games and get the season going. Nuneaton Borough visit on Tuesday night, Redditch United next Saturday and Bromsgrove Sporting the following Tuesday.
Man of the Match: Jenson Cooper
Attendance: TBC
Match Report: Paul Judd
