A bumper pre-season crowd turned out to see Dan Creaney and TJ Bramble bag a goal in each half as The Lambs shone in the July sun.

Almost 1800 fans took advantage of the DGI Group’s generous free ticket offer for the game against Walton and Hersham of the National League South as the two clubs met for the first time in sweltering conditions a few hours ahead of the Three Lions World Cup Quarter Final.

For the second time in a week new owner Abdullah Ashraf flew in from the US to cheer on The Lambs and Andy Peaks’ second friendly of 2026-27 gave him the chance to look at the majority of his squad over two halves again.

The Lambs, wearing their special preseason kit of red shirts and black shorts got the game underway attacking the Meadow Street end and immediately went on the offensive but found the visitors a tough nut to crack in the initial exchanges.
Dyson skipped through the defensive blocks to fire on target but he was denied by keeper Reid’s blocking feet and when it came out to Milnes on the edge of the area he half volleyed just over the target.
Creaney spotted Reid off his line but did similarly on 7.
The Swans forged an attack of their own on 12, forcing recently signed defender Rye to clear his lines and at the other end Donnelly was prevented from getting past the last defender after a great first touch sent the ball into the box for them both to chase down.
Fairlamb found Creaney with his left footed cross on 16, but the Lambs striker was unable to keep his header down.
Rachel left his area to deny a quick Swans break to the edge of the box shortly after, and Tamworth responses with a couple of corners, and a high cross which found Acquaye past the far post but his left footed volley slammed into the side netting.
A break for hydration was needed at the midpoint through the game, and soon after play recommenced, Dyson connected with a throw in to drive the ball low to the keeper’s right but was unable to squeeze it between him and the post.
The Lambs took the lead on 33 though, when Lyttle’s cross from the right fell perfectly for Creaney to finish at the far post to the delight of the home faithful (1-0, 33 mins)
Scores were level on 42 when the Swan’s number 38 cut in from the right, saw his initial shot blocked, and when his teammate was unable to get a shot away it ran free enough for him to strike into the bottom right from 18 yards (1-1, 42 mins)

HT: 1-0

The Lambs changed their complete line up for the second half, and whipped an early corner under the bar which had to be headed away.
Bailey sent a deep cross into the box which had too much on it to for any of his teammates and McGlinchey ran out of legs as the ball skipped away for a goalkick on 56.
A Kurtaran corner on 58 was defended strongly and a drinks break was taken just past the hour, which also allowed the visitors to make a number of changes on the field.
When play restarted, The Lambs continued to press at the Castle End, and Bramble saw his right footed strike whistle past the left hand upright on 67.
Hutchinson forced the Walton keeper into a telling stop on 69 and trialiast (no. 16) followed up but that too was cleared, but The Lambs maintained the pressure and Bramble finished from close range on 69 to restore the advantage with his back to goal and a deft flick to beat the keeper. (2-1, 69 mins)
Kurtaran sent a deep freekick into the back of the box on 75 but Parkes couldn’t connect, and the visitors had their keeper to thank on 80.
Tshikuna curled a delightful pass over the midfield for McGlinchey to run on to and he advanced into the box before pulling it back for Hutchinson but he found the keeper in no mood to be beaten with his first time strike from 12 yards.
The Lambs 16 went close on 87 with a right footed angled shot that skipped past the far post, and although there was just time for one late press from Tshikuna and Hutchinson the final whistle blew on a second pre-season victory.

Tamworth
1: Dan Rachel; Tyler Lyttle, Tom Fogarty, Joe Rye, Luke Fairlamb; Morgan Roberts, Ben Milnes, Oliver Dyson, Ben Acquaye; Keiren Donnelly, Dan Creaney
2: Trialist, Josh Bailey, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, Tom Parkes, Tom Handley; Trialist, TJ Bramble, Teo Kurtaran, Tom McGlinchey; Jake Hutchinson, Nathan Tshikuna

Walton & Hersham
Reid, Toure, German (c.), Trialist, Defise, Sablier, Trialist, Kuaho, Skarna, Trialist, Trialist
Subs: Rogalski, Nuur, Ibrahiym, Ernest + 5 Trialists

Referee: Lewis Smith

Attendance: 1749