United and Tamworth took a point each at The Lamb this Sunday afternoon as they scrapped out a 0-0 draw. Even the welcome return of top scorer James Constable couldn't help United find the net despite several good chances, especially in the first half.

Having scored at the Kassam Stadium earlier in the season Lambs' striker Iyesden Christie nearly repeated the trick after just 18 seconds as he headed a Jerome Murdock cross narrowly wide from six yards, although Murdock's good first impression was tarnished sixty seconds later as he almost took Anthony Tonkin's leg off at the knee with a tough challenge which earned him an early yellow card.

United, all in white, settled into their game after five minutes and had a Franny Green effort deflected away by a brave defender as they looked to force the pace. The same player then had a vicious drive from the edge of the box brilliantly blocked by former United midfielder Jay Smith at full stretch (all five foot three of it) after fifteen minutes as the prrssure started to build. Green was at the heart of a flowing move on seventeen which saw United drive the length of the pitch before Constable's superb volley forced keeper Alcock (all six feet two of him) to throw himself full length to his left to tip the ball round the post with his finger tips.

Alcock made another fine save from Constable on 22 after yet more good build up play from Green and Tonkin on the left, and when Green nodded a Batt cross wide on thirty minutes United had created at least four very presentable chances. Tamworth had played their part in a very enjoyable half hour's football, but had only had a second Christie header which lacked power and was comfortable held by Ryan Carke.

Day bundled the ball into the net on 32 from a Deering corner but was ruled to have fouled as he barrelled in towards the ball, but for all their attacking intentions United hadn't been able to slice through the Lambs by half time and had already enjoyed their best spell of the match.

Jake Wright picked up a knock in that 45 minutes and was replaced by Mark Creighton at the break, and it took just 18 seconds of the half for United to create another opening as Constable hooked an effort wider of the mark from sixteen yards out. Another flowing move orchestrated by Dannie Bulman ended with left back Tonkin's low drive being pushed wide by Alcock once more, even if the keeper will have been relieved to see it go outside the post after the ball slipped through his fingers somewhat.

Lewis Chalmers's afternoon ended five minutes after the interval as he limped off to allow the extra pace of Matt Green to add to the attacking options down the left, but only a great challenge from Damian Batt on the opposite flank denied Christie another crack at goal on the hour as he raced towards the penalty area.

The third quarter of the game was evenly contested in the early spring sunshine with Tamworth growing in confidence, and intent, but still not truly extending Clarke in the United goal. Constable's return was marked with a yellow card on 74 with sub John Grant dragging a left footed effort wide a minute later as the U's went at the Lambs once again but the shots and openings just wouldn't quite flow.

The anticipated late surge from the visitors never truly materialised although it took a brave dive at Constable's feet from Alcock in the 87th minute to preserve his clean sheet and earn him the man of the match award.

Att:1,572

Away: 888

Report by Chris Williams

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