Newton Poppleford 0, Tipton St John 3 Tipton St John claimed a first Fresha League Division One success at the seventh time of asking in a basement battle contest, writes Richard Williams.

Tipton started the better and took the lead after three minutes when a corner from Hadyn Banfield was headed out by a defender to Jake Freeman who fired home a scruffy shot from 12-yards.

Newton Poppleford went close two minutes later when a long ball over the top of the Tipton defence was volleyed just wide.

Both Teams then put in a lot of effort without creating any clear chances for the remainder of the first half. Much of this was due to a small tight pitch allowing no room for anyone to get hold of the ball and play it around.

Tipton came out the more positive Team in the second half and on 53 minutes Matt Daley hit a fine volley from a long throw which was blocked by a defender and deflected over the bar for a corner.

The ensuing corner was hit long and Neil Gooding headed it back into the centre of the box to Freeman who fired home for his and Tipton’s second goal.

Tipton continued to create the better chances and on 78 minutes Kev Sexton latched onto a long free kick but shot just wide.

On 89 minutes Freeman almost got his hat trick but saw his header from another free kick go just wide.

On 90 minutes Mark Oke played a superb dummy allowing the ball to run through to Banfield who collected the ball 40 yards out before running with it and shooting low past the keeper to wrap up a much needed three nil victory.

He had a similar effort a minute later saved by the keeper and a minute later he was involved again when Tipton created a fine move down their right before the ball was played to him and he laid it off to Sam Baker who hit his shot just over the bar.

Man of the Match for Tipton was midfielder Jake Freeman whose two goals proved decisive.