Tipton St John 2, Ashwater 3 This was very much a stereotypical game of two halves, writes Richard Williams.

Tipton went into this Devon Senior Cup match with a number regulars missing for a meeting with the North Devon League opposition, that had made an unbeaten start in five matches this term racking up 33 goals in the process and conceding just six.

Tipton nearly scored in the opening minute when Kev Sexton did well on the right before firing a low cross to the far post just inches out of the reach of James Youlden who would have scored had he made contact with the ball.

Tipton opened the scoring on 10 minutes when keeper Jack Walker took a free-kick on the edge of his area which went to Nick Feeney, who controlled it well before beating a defender and then knocking the ball confidently past the Ashwater keeper.

Feeney was involved again six minutes later when he beat a defender on the right wing before firing in a low cross which Sexton fired home from close range to give Tipton a two goal cushion.

On 21 minutes Barry Youlden headed over the bar from a corner.

Ashwater went close to scoring on 28 minutes when a shot beat Walker and as the ball neared the Tipton goal line Dale Strawbridge made a fine interception to clear it.

Tipton immediately broke down field and Hadyn Banfield shot wide.

On 42 minutes Walker made a great save from a rasping close range shot.

The second half started quietly with both Teams matching each other but on the hour mark Ashwater went close to scoring when they shot wide.

A minute later Feeney made a fine break up the left and laid on a cross for Banfield who saw his shot go wide.

On 70 minutes Ashwater scored a fine individual goal when their striker kept a ball in, which was going for a corner, before cutting back infield and smashing a shot in from a very narrow angle.

This spurred them on and seven minutes later they equalised when they put a long free kick into the penalty area and in the ensuing scramble the ball was forced into the Tipton net.

There were a couple of lengthy stoppages for injuries and consequently several minutes of added on time were played and in the seventh minute of added on time Ashwater wrapped up the tie with another scrambled goal following a free kick on the left of the Tipton area.

This was another spirited effort by Tipton, spoilt slightly by conceding silly free kicks in dangerous areas.

Man of the Match for Tipton was Nick Feeney who scored a fine goal and laid on the second and generally played well throughout.

Tomorrow sees Tipton make the short trip for a derby match at Newton Poppleford when Fresha League points will be at stake.