Tamworth 1-1 Latics

Joe Pritchard’s penalty was cancelled out by an equaliser from Dan Creaney as Latics left Tamworth with a point. 

Pritchard put the visitors ahead in the latter stages of the first half after Mike Fondop was fouled in the area but the home side levelled within six minutes.

There was controversy about the equaliser as the Latics players claimed the ball had not crossed the line but the lead was ultimately short-lived.

Micky Mellon made three changes from the goalless draw at Boston on Tuesday, including handing a start to Vimal Voganathan for his full debut.

Tom Conlon and Jake Leake were unable to feature on Tamworth’s 4G surface, meaning Jordan Rossiter and Mark Kitching returned to the side.

Latics went ahead nine minutes before half-time, Pritchard converting a penalty after Fondop had been tripped by Ronan Maher.

The visitors had worked themselves into a good position after needing to deal with the threat Tamworth presented from throw-ins and set-plays.

The long throw from Tom Tonks was a repeated problem for the visitors. It was from his throw that Tamworth won 16th-minutes corner, from which Fondop was required to clear a Callum Cockerill-Mollett corner off the goal-line.

Yet Latics grew into the half as it went on, Fondop leading a quick counter-attack, only for Pritchard’s shot from the edge of the area to be blocked.

Pritchard, operating on the right just behind the central striker, had another effort stopped on the edge of the area, whilst Yoganathan also featured well in attacking moves.

Pritchard put Latics into a deserved lead, slotting the spot-kick into the bottom left-hand corner.

Fondop and Pritchard had further chances, but the home side equalised three minutes before the break, Creaney heading in a cross from Maher, the ball judged to have crossed the line despite the best efforts of Tom Donaghy.

It was Tamworth who had the better of the second half, Mark Kitching producing a vital block to deny Nathan Tshikuna.

James Norwood joined the action just before the hour and that helped bring an added presence to the Latics attack.

Donaghy had to stand strong in the face of the constant threat posed by Tonks’ deliveries, saving from Kennedy Digie after he had connected with a set-piece.

Oldham had two attempts of note, Jes Uchegbulam breaking through on goal after holding off Ben Crompton following Norwood’s through-ball but Jes Singh saved.

Substitute Dan Gardner also found himself in an excellent position on the edge of the area in added time but he was unable to beat Singh.

 

Tamworth: Singh, Cockerill-Mollett, Tonks, Digie, Creaney, McGlinchey, Tshikuna (Fletcher 82), Hollis, Sundire (Morrison 68), Maher (Enoru 77), Crompton (Cullinane-Liburd 82).

Subs not used: Finn, Ponticelli, Raikhy.

Oldham Athletic: Donaghy, Ogle (Caprice 82), Hobson, Raglan, Kitching, Pett, Rossiter, Yoganathan (Norwood 59), Pritchard (Gardner 79), Uchegbulam, Fondop.

Subs not used: Dennis, Leake, Waters, Hammond.

Referee: Alan Dale

Attendance: 1,933 (650 away)