MATCH PREVIEW | TAMWORTH V WEALDSTONE
- Wealdstone FC
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
In their second consecutive away trip, the Stones head to Tamworth on Wednesday night as they look to secure their second away win of the season.
The Basics
Date: Wednesday, September 24
Venue: The Lamb Ground, Tamworth B77 1AA
Competition: The Enterprise National League
Kick Off Time: 7:45 pm
Broadcast Information: The game will be available to watch live via DAZN
News From The Vale
It has been a quiet couple of days for the men’s first team following defeat at Morecambe.
However, the Wealdstone FC academy teams are heading into a busy week.
The under-23s side secured a mammoth 8-1 victory against Holbeach United at Brunel University, whilst there are also a number of games in the U19 NL Alliance and the Tactic League later this week.
Our man in form - Max Kretzschmar: Our man in form heading into this game could not be anyone other than the club vice-captain, Max Kretzschmar.
The 31-year-old has been simply sublime since returning from injury in mid-September, scoring three times in three games, only one of which he started.
Additionally, these strikes have come at crucial times. His goal against Gateshead came in the 88th minute and rescued a much-deserved point for Sam Cox’s side. Kretzschmar’s strike against Leicester City came just six minutes from the end of the game and maintained Wealdstone’s 100% record in the National League Cup.
His total goal tally for the season is now up to four, which matches his goal output for the entirety of last campaign and makes him the Stones’ top scorer thus far.
However, it is not just his goalscoring ability which he adds to the team; Kretzschmar also provides invaluable experience amongst a young squad as well as being an excellent creative outlet.
The Opposition
Recent form: WWLWW
League Position: 7th
Tamworth have begun this National League season in fine fashion, and they are once again proving their doubters wrong.
The Lambs achieved back-to-back promotions between 2022 and 2024, which then saw them competing in the fifth tier for the first time since 2014.
They secured a very impressive 10th-place finish and gave Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur a scare in the FA Cup, winning the hearts of many football fans around the world during their cup run.
The manager - Andy Peaks: Andy Peaks will take to the Tamworth dugout for the 179th time on Wednesday night.
The now 54-year-old arrived at the Lamb Ground in February 2022 after a long spell at AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
During his time in the West Midlands, Peaks has established himself as somewhat of a club legend.
His first two full seasons in charge of the club saw them win league titles, and they defied the odds to comfortably survive in the fifth tier last season. In fact, they almost snuck into the playoff spaces.
Peaks has learned how to use the artificial pitch and the other unique aspects of the Lamb Ground to Tamworth’s advantage. They had the sixth-best home record in the National League last season, and that record is the same this campaign.
The danger man - Manny Duku: Tamworth’s danger man is someone who is fondly remembered by Stones fans for many reasons, Manny Duku.
The experienced striker has always shown decent goalscoring prowess in the fifth tier (he has scored 20 times in 90 games) though he has never stayed at one club for long enough to have a standout season.
He has started this campaign in great form, netting in four separate games to be the Lambs’ top scorer thus far. Without his goals, Tamworth would be six points worse off.
Duku has a large frame and can hold the ball up excellently, but he also offers good mobility and energy, making him a very well-rounded player for the level.
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