PREVIEW: Tamworth v Luton Town

Tamworth have started the season in the ultimate topsy-turvy fashion, but appear to have righted their wobbles in time for Luton’s trip to the Lamb Ground this evening, writes Mike Simmonds.

The Lambs began in promising form with a 3-2 win at Dartford on the opening day, before drawing with Hereford and then overcame both Stockport and Tamworth.

Four successive defeats followed, including a disappointing 3-1 home reverse to Barrow, before they recovered to register a surprising 2-0 triumph at Gateshead and see off Lincoln 1-0, keeping two clean sheets in the process.

With 16 points on the board so far, they are going some way to overhauling last season’s tally of 48 when they finished just three places above the relegation zone.

Much of Tamworth’s early season form has been down to new signing Adam Cunnington, who has bagged a mightily impressive seven goals from 10 games so far.

Boss Marcus Law had a complete overhaul of his squad during the close season, recruiting former England international and Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie, but he has yet to play due to injury.

It’s been the same for another new signing Marcus Kelly too, while Law also brought in experienced duo Peter Till and Tommy Wright, along with the likes of Tony Breeden, Luke Bottomer, Graeme Law and James Wren.

Law was busy on deadline day too, acquiring Coventry striker Shaun Jeffers and Barrow forward Vinny Mukendi on one month loan deals, while midfielder Michael Girvan and George Baldock also signed short-term deals.

Imposing centre half John Dempster joined from Mansfield too, while there have also been a whole host of players leaving with first team goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge one of the main departures, while Kieron St Aimie, Jake Sheridan, Kyle Patterson, Iyseden Christie and Francino Francis all moved on.

Team news: Hatters have no new injury doubts, leaving just Danny Spiller, James Dance and Garry Richards in the treatment room.

Tamworth had defender Richard Tait sent off for violent conduct at the weekend, so he is suspended, while Marcus Kelly and Lee Hendrie are still expected to be missing.

Man in the middle: Paul Rees - Taken just three games this season, but has already shown 13 yellow cards and two red cards in that time.

Was in charge of Barrow’s 4-2 win at Ebbsfleet on Saturday where he booked two players and dismissed the visitors Sean Hessey.

Top BSBP scorer: Hatters - Stuart Fleetwood (7). Lambs - Adam Cunnington (7).

In charge: Marcus Law - Sarted his career as a goalkeeper at Bristol Rovers, making two appearances in the Football League during the 1994–95 season.

Moved to Stafford Rangers before a hip injury forced him into premature retirement whilst playing for the Sacramento Knights in America.

As a manager, he had spells at Coventry Sphinx, Racing Club Warwick, Quorn and Barwell, before moving to Kettering in October 2010. After eight months, he was appointed boss of Tamworth on a three year deal on May 25, 2011.

View from the opposition: Marcus Law - “As a manager, these are the kind of games that I relish.

“I think this why the supporters love being in this league, having the chance to play the likes of Lincoln, Luton, Grimsby, Wrexham and Mansfield.

“They are big clubs but we are not going to be in awe of them at all, while we respect the bigger clubs in this league, we don’t fear them.

“Luton are obviously one of the favourites for the title.

“They have good players but they have to cope with a lot of pressure and expectation from their supporters so it will be interesting to see how they handle that this season.”

One to watch: Adam Cunnington – the main man for Tamworth at the moment after his summer move from Kettering with seven goals from 10 games already.

Born in Leighton Buzzard, he started life at Barton Rovers before spells at Leighton Town, Hitchin, Aylesbury United, Stamford, Barwell and Solihull Moors before joining Kettering.

The 24-year-old had a loan move into the Football League last season with Dagenham & Redbridge that never really came off, and he spent the last months at Alfreton, scoring twice in 11 appearances.

Friendly faces: Tamworth striker Tommy Wright spent a brief spell at Kenilworth Road last season. The 27-year-old forward netted three goals in six games after being signed on a short-term deal by Gary Brabin, but his contract wasn’t renewed in December.

Went to Forest Green Rovers where he scored twice in seven league games before moving to the Lamb Ground in the summer and has scored two goals in seven matches so far, although was sent off in the 1-0 home defeat to Wrexham.

We’ve got form: Hatters have enjoyed mixed experiences at the Lamb Ground since dropping into the Conference, winning one, drawing one and losing one.

The first visit ended in a 1-1 draw when George Pilkington opened the scoring before Des Lyttle hit a second half equaliser.

The next season saw former Town boss Richard Money have his very public onfield spat with Town supporters after they had berated midfielder Pavel Besta during the 3-1 defeat.

Last time out: Luton were impressive 3-1 winners at Tamworth last season after Paul Green was sent off for the hosts on just 17 minutes for a late challenge on Dan Gleeson.

Danny Crow struck to put Town ahead, before a quickfire second half double from Crow and James Dance killed the hosts off.

Francino Francis became the second home player to receive his marching orders, while Crow also missed a penalty for his hat-trick, before Danny Mills grabbed a consolation for Tamworth.

Hatters: Kevin Pilkington, Dan Gleeson, George Pilkington, Jake Howells, Janos Kovacs, Greg Taylor, Keith Keane, Alex Lawless, James Dance (Tommy Wright 89), Danny Crow (Stuart Fleetwood 83), Adam Watkins (John Paul Kissock 76).

Attendance: 1,476.

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