Tamworth FC’s unbeaten start to the Northern Inland Premier League season continued on Saturday but not before being given a scare by South Armidale.
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Playing a catch-up game at Scully Park, South Armidale came into the match sitting last on the ladder and faced a mammoth task against the ladder leaders.
However, Souths shocked the home crowd just three minutes in when a stunning long range strike from Tom Smith found the back of the net to give the visitors the advantage.
Tamworth FC then dominated territory and possession to strike back 12 minutes later.
An unconventional cross from Jackson Haussler – facing the sideline, the midfielder kicked the ball over his own head – found Kurt Barrow who headed the ball home.
South Armidale weren’t done with, though, and Aurangzaib Zahoor capitalised on a Tamworth FC defensive mistake to score.
Haussler had a couple chances of his own late in the second half with one hitting the right post and the other being saved by goalkeeper Billy Wald to keep the score a 2-1 at half-time.
It was a position Tamworth FC hadn’t been in all year, coach Greg Bartlett said, but they weren’t hitting the panic button at half-time.
After 10 minutes of second half play, FC equalised through a penalty after Barrow went down in the box.
Troy Hearfield sent home the penalty.
Another 10 minutes later, just after a Mick Gay save kept Souths out, Tamworth FC found the lead for the first time as Barrow doubled up.
A second penalty shot, which Hearfield scored, with six minutes to go put the game to bed for Tamworth FC.