Tamworth 0-0 Marine; Isuzu FA Trophy 5th Round; Saturday 31st January 2026
Max Ledson reports from the Altair Group Community Stadium
Marine progressed to the quarter finals of the Isuzu FA Trophy after defeating Tamworth 4-1 on penalties following two saves from Marine goalkeeper, Fraser Barnsley.
The game ended 0-0 after 90 minutes in what was a game with very few chances to speak of for either side.
It started with the hosts on the front foot as they saw most of the ball in the early stages and fashioned the better of the first 45’s half chances.
Their best chance of the half came in the 13th minute after a cross into the box by Luke Fairlamb found its way through to Stefan Mols but he was unable to test the goalkeeper.
The Mariners started the second half quickly with Fin Sinclair-Smith forcing Jas Singh into a save after his strike from the edge of the area, three minutes after the restart.
The best chance of the game for the visitors came in the 58th minute after a Leigh Whelan free kick found the head of Josh Wardle whose effort had to be tipped over by Singh.
After this chance the home side gained control of possession and Marine found themselves defending for the majority of the game.
They did this well, allowing few chances for Tamworth. The game’s best chance fell to substitute Ben Acquaye in the 94th minute after the ball found its way to him six yards out from goal but he fired his shot over the bar.
Marine were able to see out the final few minutes with strong, disciplined defending to send the game to a penalty shootout. Goals from Sam Fielding, Leigh Whelan, Dan Martin and James Potter saw the Mariners victorious with two saves by Fraser Barnsley
Tamworth: Singh, Curley, Tonks, Digie, Fairlamb, Mols, Cullinane-Liburd, Lissimore, (Bates 73), Lynch (Creaney 60), Maher (Acquaye 60), Ponticelli (Roberts 73).
Unused subs: Rachel, Cockerill-Mollett, Rye.
Marine: Fraser Barnsley, Adam Thomas, Josh Wardle, Adam Anson, Joe Ashton, Sam Fielding, Leigh Whelan, Matty McDonald (James Potter 23), Dan Martin, Fin Sinclair-Smith, George Newell (Lewis Bell 70)
Unused subs: Harry Huby, Jack McIntyre
Referee: Matthew Russell.
Attendance: 1,120.