Assistant Manager Neil Champelovier was pleased with Tamworth’s confidence levels on Saturday afternoon as they secured back-to-back victories and clean sheets for the first time this season.

Kieren Donnelly’s goal towards the end of the first half was enough to separate the sides as he slotted a composed effort past Max Thompson in the 41st minute.

Champelovier commented: “Absolutely brilliant.

“After Wednesday’s brilliant result at home, really important that we gain a little bit of momentum. We haven’t been great, although we won [against] Worthing, we didn’t back it up and you get on that slippery slope again. The focus this week was really just about backing up Wednesday and making sure that the performance levels were high.”

He continued: “It was a nice change, to be fair. It’s nice to get an early goal and not have to chase a game. Showing how resolute we are and how organised we were without the ball, how hard we worked was really pleasing. This time last week, we’d gone to Aldershot and there were lots of questions asked about the desire, the organisation, the work rate, so to go and put that on was brilliant. You’re always going to have periods like that. We don’t change as management. When results aren’t going great you stick together, work just as hard, if not harder, and have belief that you’re going to turn the corner and hopefully this is one of those moments. It gives those lads in the group a huge lift and huge amount of belief, and playing with confidence is massive.”

Rhys Lovett was in between the sticks and grabbed another clean sheet for the Lambs.
Champelovier said: “Huge amount of respect to him for coming in.

“As good as he was, it wasn’t just him. It starts at the front with KD [Kieren Donnelly] and it went all the way through the team. Everyone worked hard, everyone put a shift in, and everyone did their jobs that we asked them to do. If we do that, and do the basics right, we’ll always be in games, we’ve just got to repeat it and be consistent with it. When we do that, we’re a match for any team.”

Before the match, Tamworth announced two new signings that would feature in the matchday squad, as goalkeeper Jonathan Macaulay and right-back Sydney Agina came in on loan.
Agina made an appearance off the bench in the second half. Commenting on his debut for the Lambs, Champelovier said: “He came on, and it’s probably not his best position.

“He’s a right-back. We felt his direct running, especially late on in the game, would kill time and get us up the pitch a little bit more. I thought he did really well, as did Gabe [Gabriel Kelly] who came on the other night as well. He picked up what we’re after and worked really hard, picked up first and second balls, did the right things.

“For two young lads that have come in from Stoke, the fact that they’re doing the right things straight away was really pleasing. We have got quite a few through the door the last week. We knew we needed reinforcements, it’s just about getting the right people in and making sure that we get players that fit and are available.”