A thrilling five-goal encounter at the Lamb Ground saw Tamworth emerge victorious in a pulsating 3-2 National League win against Woking. The match lived up to its pre-match billing, with both sides having scored in their previous six respective fixtures, and delivered a rollercoaster of attacking football.
Tamworth drew first blood in the 9th minute, courtesy of Nathan Tshikuna, who proved to be the key architect of their success. His incisive play unlocked the Woking defence, allowing him to find the back of the net and give the home side an early advantage. Tamworth maintained their attacking impetus, and their pressure yielded further reward just before half-time. In the 42nd minute, Tshikuna turned provider, setting up Thomas McGlinchey to double the lead and send the home supporters into raptures.
Woking emerged from the break with renewed purpose and almost immediately halved the deficit. In the 47th minute, Max Dyche, assisted by Dale Gorman, pulled a goal back for the visitors, injecting a fresh sense of urgency into the contest. The game became increasingly frenetic as Woking pressed for an equaliser, while Tamworth sought to restore their two-goal cushion. The intensity of the match was reflected in a flurry of yellow cards, predominantly for Woking players, as tackles became increasingly robust. Both managers turned to their benches, making a series of substitutions in an attempt to gain a tactical advantage as the game entered its closing stages.
Just as it seemed Woking might snatch a late leveller, Tamworth delivered a decisive blow. In the 91st minute, the influential Tshikuna provided his second assist of the match, setting up Dan Creaney to make it 3-1 and seemingly secure the three points for the home side. However, the drama wasn’t over. Deep into stoppage time, Gorman netted his second, reducing the deficit to a single goal and setting up a tense finale. Ultimately, it proved too little, too late for Woking, as Tamworth held on for a hard-fought victory.
The win sees Tamworth climb to 12th in the National League table with 20 points, while Woking remain in 17th place on 16 points. Although the two sides haven’t met in the league for three seasons, this match certainly provided a memorable encounter.