Bow 1, Tipton St John 1

D & E Div 1

Tipton 1st XI rounded off their league campaign with a well-earned point away at second-placed Bow which saw them end the season in fifth place, writes Richard Williams.

On Tuesday night Tipton 1st XI beat Clyst Valley 3-1 to reach the Grandisson Cup final. Goals were scored by Jamie Connett and 2 from Ash Small. The final is on Thursday, May 24.

they will be hoping for a club cup double as the next game for Tipton 2nds is on Wednesday, May 23, in the Golesworthy Cup final. Both games kick off at 7pm.

At Bow Tipton had taken the lead with a header from Neil Gooding after 20 minutes, which Bow levelled 15 minutes later with a shot from the edge of the box. Tipton dominated and had many shots, but Dale Strawbridge in goal was also on top form, dealing with the rare Bow shots.

a visit to second place Bow and started well. After only 5 minutes they put together a great move which ended with Ash Small playing a fine ball through to Adam Connett who beat a defender before shooting just wide. Four minutes later Kevin Sexton also had a shot which was wide, but two minutes later Tipton took the lead with a header from Neil Gooding from a long throw which he met at the far post. On 20 minutes Ash Small had a shot well saved and six minutes later Bow almost equalised with a header which went inches wide.

Tipton continued to dominate and on 30 minutes Jody Freeman shot just wide. This was followed two minutes later with a great move involving Freeman, Adam Connett and Ash Small, whose final shot was well saved by the Bow keeper. On 34 minutes Bow did equalise with a shot from the edge of the box. A minute later Jamie Connett shot just wide and then Bow went right to the other end where one of their players somehow managed to hit the bar from only a yard out. The rebound fell to a Bow player and Neil Gooding did well to block his effort on the line. Tipton continued to look the more likely Team to score and a minute into added on time at the end of the first half Ash Small tried a spectacular overhead kick which went wide. Three minutes later Jody Freeman was fouled and unfortunately reacted and ended up receiving a red card. The perpetrator of the foul only got a yellow card. A minute later Neil Gooding did well to gain possession and played a great ball through to Adam Connett who ran into the penalty area and was clearly brought down as he got his shot off. The shot was saved but no penalty was awarded.

Tipton came out for the second half and were under pressure due to only having ten men but Bow did not manage to create any real problems for them until the 69th minute when Dale Strawbridge pulled off a magnificent fingertip save high up to his left. This continued throughout the remainder of the game until the 89th minute when Neil Gooding hit an absolute screamer on the volley from 30 yards which went only millimetres over the bar.

In the last minute Bow had only their second real chance of the half but Dale Strawbridge again made a fine save from a close range shot. Tipton came away with a well earned point which lifted them to a well deserved 5th place finish in the League Table. Man of the Match was midfielder Ash Small who had a fine game throughout and had run himself to a standstill by the end.