Tamworth

Oxford Utd v Tamworth
Oxford midfielder Rob Duffy is hoping a thermoplastic cast on his broken hand will allow him to return to the squad. Skipper Phil Gilchrist is set to have a scan on his ankle injury but may still play, but Rufus Brevett is doubtful. Experienced Tamworth defender Alan Neilson is doubtful with a calf strain while forward Matt Williams is rated as 50-50 with a groin injury. The Lambs are without utility player Dave Bampton (knee ligament) and defender Michael Touhy (ankle).

Tykes quartet extend loan spells
Four young Barnsley players have extended their loan spells with Conference sides Halifax and Tamworth. Defender Ryan Laight, 21, will spend the rest of the season on loan at Tamworth, and midfielder Simon Heslop, 19, will stay there for another month. Meanwhile, Tykes defender Robert Atkinson and striker Nathan Joynes, both 21, will both spend a second month on loan at Halifax. Barnsley will have a 24-hour recall over Heslop, Atkinson and Joynes. The quartet have only made four substitute appearances between them for Barnsley's first team, although Heslop spent most of last season on loan at Kidderminster, while Atkinson spent time at Scarborough.

FA Trophy first round details
The 24 Conference National clubs enter the FA Trophy at the first-round stage on Saturday, joining the 40 surviving clubs from the qualifying rounds. One match has already fallen victim to the weather - with the tie between Conference North sides Barrow and Worcester City postponed. With the pitch at Holker Street already waterlogged, it will now be played on Tuesday, 19 December at 1945 GMT. The winners of each first-round tie will receive £4,000. FIRST-ROUND FIXTURES/RESULTS Saturday, 16 December: Aldershot Town v AFC Wimbledon Altrincham v Tamworth Bishop's Stortford v St Albans Braintree Town v Ashford Town Dagenham & Redbridge v Crawley Town Exeter City v Heybridge Swifts Farnborough Town v Bath City Forest Green Rovers v Yeading Gateshead v Burton Albion Halifax Town v Hyde United Harrogate Town v Leigh RMI Havant & Waterlooville v Gravesend & Northfleet Histon v Cambridge United Kettering Town v Stafford Rangers Kidderminster Harriers v Vauxhall Motors Lewes v Oxford United Mangotsfield v King's Lynn Morecambe v York City Newport County v AFC Sudbury Northwich Victoria v Farsley Celtic Nuneaton Borough v Redditch Rushden & Diamonds v Scarborough Salisbury City v Woking Southport v Droylsden Stalybridge Celtic v Hinckley United Stevenage Borough v Merthyr Tydfil Welling United v Basingstoke Town Weston-super-Mare v Evesham Weymouth v Grays Athletic Woodley Sports v Witton Albion Sunday, 17 December Fisher Athletic v Eastbourne Borough Tuesday, 19 December Barrow v Worcester City

Tamworth 0-1 Burton Albion
Daryl Clare converted a late penalty to give Burton victory at The Lamb. Tamworth keeper Jose Veiga, who made a string of fine saves, saw red for bringing down Jon Shaw and Clare fired home the resultant spot-kick. Portuguese stopper Veiga earlier tipped over Shaw's effort and palmed away Lee Fowler's long-range strike. The Lambs provided little attacking threat - Joe Kendrick's free-kick and Simon Heslop's drilled shot the only serious tests for keeper Kevin Poole. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tamworth: Veiga, Kendrick, Kemp, Weaver, Laight (Stevenson 80), Taylor, Smith, Heslop, Storer, Atieno (Burton 89), Williams (Belford 75). Subs Not Used: Law, Mark Cooper. Sent Off: Veiga (74). Booked: Weaver. Burton Albion: Poole, Rowett, Stride, Tinson (Austin 40), Brayford, Ducros (Holmes 12), Carden, Fowler, Corbett, Clare, Shaw, Holmes (Henshaw 46). Subs Not Used: Gilroy, Harrad. Goals: Clare 77 pen. Att: 2,029 Ref: P Gibbs (West Midlands).

Rushden & D v Tamworth
Rushden have injury worries with Jon Ashton and Daniel Chillingworth both having to be substituted against Gravesend with knocks. Glenn Wilson is a doubt after labouring towards the end of the game and Paul Watson is also a concern. Tamworth look certain to be without Joe Kendrick after he hobbled out of the Lambs' 1-0 loss to Morecambe on Saturday, so Kyle Storer could start. Goalkeeper Jose Veiga is in contention for a start after a one-match ban.

Tamworth v Norwich
Tamworth are hoping to go one better after losing on penalties to Stoke in the FA Cup third round last season. Midfielder Joe Kendrick is fit after a knee injury but long-term casualities Michael Touhy, Alan Neilson and Dave Bampton all remain sidelined. Norwich midfielder Dickson Etuhu has been suffering from a chronic foot complaint but is expected to play. Darren Huckerby is over his hamstring niggle, while Dion Dublin is expected to return alongside Rob Earnshaw.

Tamworth boss upbeat despite loss
Tamworth manager Gary Mills refused to be downhearted after his side lost 1-0 at home to Northwich Victoria to remain in the Conference relegation zone. "It's three points gone because we didn't take our chances but we'll stay positive and I'm not going to knock the players," Mills told the club website. "The last thing this club needs is negativity at the moment. "Seven weeks ago the side was heading for relegation and we've moved to within a point of safety since then." Meanwhile, Tamworth have been told that they will not receive international clearance for new signing Justin Jackson, who can not play for the rest of the season.

Tamworth boss counts cost of draw
Tamworth boss Gary Mills admits failing to beat relegated St Albans City has made survival tough for his own side. The Lambs could only draw 1-1 at St Albans on Monday. Mills told his club's website: "The quality wasn't great. We know we needed to win and the gap at the bottom has opened slightly because we didn't. "But we will go to Stevenage next Saturday looking to cause an upset. There are three games left and it could go all the way to the wire."

Tamworth boss keen to bounce back
Boss Gary Mills is determined to lead Tamworth back into the Conference top-flight after their relegation was confirmed with one game to go. Mills was unable to keep Tamworth up after returning for a second spell in charge at the end of January. He said: "The disappointment will go away because this is a great football club to be at. "We all need to stay proud and positive and I will now prepare a squad for the start of next season." Mills told the Tamworth Herald: ?We will all work as hard as we possibly can to get the club back into this league."

Skipper stays at relegated Lambs
Tamworth skipper Adie Smith has signed a new one-year contract, despite their relegation from the Conference. The 33-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, joined the Lambs in February 2004 "I love it here - nothing would give me greater satisfaction than leading the club back into the top flight of the Conference," he told the club website. "I still have a lot to offer and being at a club where I have made so many friends helps me to enjoy my football."

Tamworth complete deal for Mills
Tamworth manager Gary Mills has signed namesake midfielder Gary Mills. Mills, 26, who is no relation to the Lambs boss, has spent his entire career with Rushden apart from a five-month spell with Crawley Town last season. He played 139 games for Diamonds after coming through the youth programme at Nene Park. Tamworth are looking to strengthen their side following their relegation from the Conference and have already signed Tony Thorpe and Carl Heggs.

Bury's Leonard nets Tamworth move
Tamworth have completed the signing of Bury midfielder Ben Leonard on a one-month loan deal. The 23-year-old will go straight into the Lambs squad for their Conference North game against Boston on Saturday. Bury boss Chris Casper told his club's website: "The loan move is an opportunity for Ben to get some experience and games under his belt. "The Conference North is a decent level and this will be good for him and his overall development."

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