Tamworth 4

Oxford City 3

Goalkeeper Ali Aksoy was sent off as Oxford City were beaten at Tamworth in Vanarama Conference North on Saturday, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

Incredibly, it was the fourth time in five weeks City have had their goalkeeper dismissed, with midfielder Declan Benjamin going in goal for the third time.

Aksoy was brought in to replace regular keepers Salva de la Cruz and Mark Scott, both of whom were suspended following sendings-off in previous weeks.

City had led 3-2 when Aksoy was dismissed, thanks to first-half goals from Adi Yussuf, Lee Henderson and Tom Winters.

Goals from Shane Clarke and Josh Sampson kept the hosts in touch, while Dave Hibbert and Leon Mettam strikes after the break won it.

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There were just 31 seconds on the clock when Yussuf volleyed City into the lead, finding himself in the right place to capitalise when Tamworth keeper James Belshaw palmed Marlon Jackson’s cross into his path.

But the home side responded quickly, levelling the scores just three minutes later when Clarke headed in a corner.

Henderson restored City’s lead, rising highest to head home Winters’ floated corner in the 11th minute.

And Jackson had a glorious opportunity to extend the lead when he was clean through on goal, but planted the ball wide with the keeper beaten.

Just moments later, Sampson headed in another corner to restore parity again.

But again it was short-lived, as Winters fired in from close range to give City the lead on the stroke of half-time.

The second half was just three minutes old when the momentum swung irreversibly in the home side’s favour as Aksoy rushed out to take out the onrushing Hibbert as he bore down on goal.

Benjamin came off the bench to take his now-familiar role between the sticks, but he was powerless to stop a third equaliser from Hibbert as he pounced on a poor header before unleashing a powerful strike into the far corner of the net.

Mettam then put the hosts in front for the first time in the 78th minute, latching onto a through ball before prodding home the winner.

Oxford City: Aksoy, Coulson, Stonehouse (Barcelos 67), Lapoujade, Santiago, Henderson, Fofana, Pond, Yussuf, Jackson (Obot 73), Winters (Benjamin 81). Subs not used: Wilson, Rodriguez.

Referee: R Wooton.

Attendance: 1,048.