The Lambs returned to the Compare The Build Community Stadium for one final time in the 2024-25 season and welcomed interim head coach David Longwell’s Coasters who had already been confirmed as relegated in the games prior to kick off.
Andy Peaks’ squad, on 60 points, were unable to reach to the top seven but were aiming to end their fantastic first season back in the top flight of non-league on a high, with trips to Altrincham away on the final day (Monday 05 May) and a chance of silverware against Burton Albion in the Birmingham Senior Cup Final at The Pirelli Stadium on Thursday 09 May.
With Dan Creaney making his 200th appearance for The Lambs Peaks made two changes from the side that suffered defeat at Forest Green Rovers with Ben Crompton making his final appearance for The Lambs before returning to Sunderland, and Tom McGlinchey came in for Kyle Finn.
Fylde kicked off and exerted some early pressure with Singh having leave his area to clear a wayward pass but The Lambs soon countered and Enoru got the better of his marker on the left wing and drilled low against the last man.
A flick on by Creaney on 6 allowed him to take the ball down into the box but his finished rose over the target by just a few feet.
A Tonks throw from the right allowed Tamworth to keep Fylde penned back, although Tonks had to try again with a similar positioned throw which Creaney tried to flick over his head but the referee stopped play for a high boot.
From the ensuring play Fairlamb picked up the ball and sent a teasing cross over to the far post from the left and Creaney was perfectly positioned to cushion his header into the back of the net for his 18th of the season. (1-0, 9 mins)
Fairlamb forced a corner on the left from his cross off his marker on 14 and Digie nearly connected but another foul halted play.
Enoru’s ball to the back of the box found McGlinchey on 17 and he headed back into the danger area for Tonks to run onto and power a shot on target but it was blocked and Creaney tried to follow up but the offside flag denied anything coming from the half chance.
Jolley’s left sided cross on 18 was powerful too, and straight into the arms of Singh, but there was a stoppage when Enoru needed treatment on the field and was unable to continue, brining Williams into the game.
Boatswain went down and was unable to continue so left the field and while the visitors were getting their sub ready Hollis lost possession to Hosannah and he advanced towards the box. Singh came out to try and clear the danger but both players collided outside the area leaving them both needing treatment and Singh was shown a straight red for his foray and clash.
Thankfully, The Lambs had a keeper on the bench so Ponticelli made way for Hitchman – his first ever game in a Lambs shirt (3 unused subs prior to coming on) - and he faced the resulting freekick but was unable to do anything about it as it curled into the far left corner. (1-1, 30 mins)
A very strong run from Williams down the left on 33 saw him send a teasing cross into the area and McGlinchey showed no fear in going high with Winterbottom for the ball, which he got his head to but was unable to direct over the keeper.
Hygill spotted an opening from 25 yards on 35 rifling a right footed shot over the target and at the other end Williams divert the ball to his feet and forced Winterbottom to drop low and protect his goal.
The Lambs conceded a second on 36 though when Jolley turned in the area and rolled a diagonal shot into the far left corner with Hitchman unable to do anything about it. (1-2, 36 mins)
Riley fired straight down the barrel at Hitchman from 25 yards on 39 and the keeper took it at the second attempt as the visitors enjoyed more of the ball against the ten men Lambs.
A chip into the area found Hollis 6 yards out on 44 but his header was tame for Winterbottom as eight minutes added time was shown.
And two minutes in McFayden was able to get the better of Digie in the left of the area and fired home from 8 yards to extended the visitors lead (1-3, 45+2 mins)
Creaney tried his luck from 35 yards with a left footed lob which dropped just wide of the left hand post and the striker sent a find Crossfield ball to Crompton to load which found Creaney but he was unable to get it down despite his best efforts.
The was time for Fairlamb to force a left sided corner for Tonks before the half time whistle blew, and Digie powered his header home after the flagkick fell invitingly off the cross bar. (2-3, 45+8)

HT: 2-3

The Lambs restarted the game and from Creaney’s drag back to Tonks a corner resulted which caused problems for the visitors as Crompton found Digie but his attempted diverted flick was put behind for another corner which was cleared.
Hosannah’s cross rebounded off Sundire for a Coasters corner on 53 which Crompton shepherded out and a McGlinchey cross seemed destined for Creaney to head home but it was nodded away from him but from the ensuing play the ball fell back to Creaney however his low tap on the angle was smothered by Winterbottom with Tonks in close attendance.
A short Tonks throw to Crompton bore a corner by the clubhouse on 59 but there was no way through the Fylde back line despite the best efforts of Digie, Creaney and Tonks.
Tonks intercepted a wayward back pass on 64 and found Williams in a great position to take a shot on goal but he wasn’t able to keep it down and blazed his shot over the bar from 12 yards and Sundire’s shot went behind for another Tonks corner on 65 which fell to Crompton halfway inside the Fylde half but he screwed his long range effort way off target.
Another Lambs corner came on 66 but Williams was off target once again and the visitors lack of long range goal kicks meant that Tamworth were able to keep the pressure on and following great disruptive play from Crompton, he found Creaney who curled his shot from 18 yards just over the target.
A Cruyff turn by Fairlamb on the halfway line took out two Fylde midfielders and he found Creaney but the offside flag denied him an attempt on goal.
Finn replaced McGlinchey with 15 remaining, and Riley was booked for a trip on Sundire on the halfway line on 77 as he tried to advance. From the freekick Fairlamb sent it upfield and Finn whipped a difficult ball high into the area. Creaney worked extremely hard to get the ball under control eventually finding a second to pick his spot from 12 yards and fire home the equaliser to the delight of the home faithful. (3-3, 78 mins)
Fairlamb found Finn with a long cross from the left but his header past the far post was difficult and he could only put it behind, and Winterbottom was booked for timewasting from the goalkick.
Hitchman denied Ustabasi’s low shot with his feet on 83 in a rare attack from the visitors and Tonks was replaced by Fletcher for the final 5.
Finn curled a 25 yard shot a yard over the bar on 89 but as the clock ticked into six minutes added time Finn picked up a long throw in the box and rifled it home from 8 yards to restore The Lambs lead (4-3, 90+1 mins)
Crompton left to a standing ovation as Cullinane-Liburd replaced him and there was just time for a cross from Riley to cause a problem as Hollis and Digie rose high to try and prevent Ormerod’s header which was the last act in a bizarre but ultimately satisfying game of football!

Tamworth:
Singh (c.), Crompton (Cullinane-Liburd 90+3), Digie, Hollis, Fairlamb, Sundire, Tonks (Fletcher 85), Ponticelli (Hitchman 29), McGlinchey (Finn 74), Enoru (Williams 21), Creaney
Subs: Curley, Cockerill-Mollett
YC: Tonks 84
RC: Singh 28

AFC Fylde:
Winterbottom, Evans (Ormerod 68), Davis (Stoked 51), Jolley, Haughton, Bardell, Hygill (Massey 88), Whelan (c.), McFayden, Boatswain (Riley 28), Hosannah (Ustabasi 68)
Subs: Sassi, Stokes, Clark
YC: Riley 77, Winterbottom 82
RC: (none)

Referee: Mr. Wayne Cartmel
Assistants: Mr. Thomas Staten, Mr. Niall Felton
4th Official: Mr. Jon Chadwick

Attendance: 1100

Compare the Build Man of the Match chosen by match sponsors Purewater and GST (Gas Services Tamworth): Dan Creaney