Andy Peaks Lambs returned to home after the midweek runout at Port Vale to record victory over Stoke City’s U21 side.
It provided another pre-season test as Peaks utilised his squad to hone his formation while also giving players competitive minutes.

The Lambs kicked off proceedings towards the Meadow Street End, with the City side doing their best to blend into the 3G surface in their camouflage and grey kit, while the visiting keeper was totally opposite, in fluorescent yellow!

A couple of early forays into the final third were cut out by the Stoke defence, and Hutchinson hit a right footed half volley off target on the angle on 5.
But when Handley crossed from the right on 6 it fell to Acquaye in the area and his shot was blocked but fell invitingly for Dyson who struck sweetly with his right boot from just outside the area into the top left corner to open the scoring (1-0, 6 mins)
The visitors number 8 rifled a strike from the right corner of the box over the bar on 8 and at the other end on 11 Bramble’s curling pass to Creaney allowed him to try a first time strike from 20 yards which went just wide of the mark.
Creaney forced the City keeper into a smart stop from a low shot on the turn on 17 and Tshikuna’s corner came back out to him to plant a high cross onto the head of the striker, who nodded it down on target but it was a simple stop for the keeper.
City equalised on 22 through a low strike from their number 8 who hit home past Singh via a slight deflection into the bottom left corner (1-1, 22 mins)
Tshikuna’s corner had to be tipped over the bar on 31, and when Creaney latched onto Dyson’s bravely headed through ball on 32 he whipped it back into the box looking for Hutchinson, and he was only inches away from connecting in mid-flight.
Acquaye forced the keeper into a point blank stop at his near post on 35 and Singh was called into action, punching a dangerous cross away off the head of the incoming Stoke striker on 36.
The Lambs regained the lead on 40 when Hutchinson finished from 6 yards after both he and Creaney had initially missed a cross from the right and it fell to Tshikuna to load in back into the area from the opposite side, with Hutchinson firing home after Creaney’s touch took it through into the back of the box. (2-1, 40 mins)
Hutchinson then turned creator for Creaney but the latter’s right footed first time strike from the edge of the 18 yard box beat the keeper and clipped the top of the crossbar on 44.
Three minutes added time were shown, and Acquaye forced a corner with a deflected cross which was well defended, and Singh had to stretch high to take freekick under pressure.
Creaney then threaded it through to Hutchinson on the left but he couldn’t force more than a good low stop from the keeper before the whistle blew.

HT: 2-1

Unlike in previous friendlies, the same Lambs XI came back out for the second half and City restarted the match.
A cross from Handley was missed by the visiting defence on 48 and Creaney stole in but had to hit it first time seeing his shot go wide of the far post, and in the next move Hutchinson drilled a right boot to force the keeper into a smart save.
Then, Hutchinson was involved again, with a diving header was blocked and fell kindly for Creaney who finished from close range only to be denied by the offside flag.
As numerous Lambs subs warmed up, Creaney beat the offside trap to go through down the left channel on 56 but couldn’t get his cross to Hutchinson and the ball skipped out past the far post.
Both sides made changes on the hour, with Tamworth making 10 changes with only Fairlamb remaining on the pitch.
A Kurtaran freekick was headed behind for a corner on 66 but a foul on the Stoke keeper halted play and brought a hydration break.
The Lambs continued with their positive attacking approach, and Hollis headed high and wide from a deep throw in on 78, and he curled a tempting cross into the box from the right on 80 but neither Donnely or Calder could get a touch as it bounced in the area and out past the far post.
The Lambs did extend their lead on 83 when a Milnes cross came into the area, and in an attempt to cut it out, the City substitute no. 14 sliced it up and over his own keeper into the back of the net (3-1, 83 mins)
McGlinchey struck from 20 yards on 86 and they crowd thought it may sneak in, but with the keeper beaten it drifted up and wide of the right hand corner of bar and post.
Two minutes added time were shown, and City conceded a late corner which Kurtaran whipped in low but it was cleared and the whistle blew on a return to winning ways for Andy Peaks’ Lambs ahead of the visit of Aston Villa U23s on Tuesday evening.

Tamworth
1st Half: Jas Singh; Tom Handley, Joe Rye, Tom Parkes, Luke Fairlamb; Nathan Tshikuna, TJ Bramble, Oliver Dyson, Ben Acquaye; Dan Creaney, Jake Hutchinson
60 mins: Trialist GK; Tyler Lyttle, Tommy Fogarty, Haydn Hollis, Luke Fairlamb; Tom McGlinchey, Ben Milnes, Teo Kurtaran, Ricky Calder; Keiren Donnelly, Morgan Roberts
Subs: Charlie Edge, Dan Rachel

Stoke City U21s
No team provided

Referee: Harry Jones
Attendance: 315