Tipton St John 1, Witheridge Reserves 2 Despite missing four of their regulars Tipton were still able to field a strong side which is testament to the squad they have put together this season, writes Richard Williams.

In a bright start both Jake Freeman and Nick Feeney went close before, in the sixth minute, a Witheridge cross was taken by a strong wind and drifted against the Tipton cross bar.

The game became one of end-to-end football. Tipton fired over the visiting bar whilst Witheridge had two chances in close succession with a shot straight at Dale Strawbridge in the Tipton goal, and a second shot just wide.

On the half hour Jake Freeman hit a 25-yard shot just over the bar.

Tipton again went close two minutes later with another shot just over the bar from a narrow angle.

Six minutes later Strawbridge made a fine save to tip another cross come shot over the bar for a corner, but the half-time whistle arrived with the game still goal less.

Witheridge had the first chance of the second half with a long-range shot just wide on 48 minutes. Seven minutes later Strawbridge made a fine save diving at the feet of an attacker.

On the hour Tipton went close to an opener when Kev Sexton hit a free kick from the left only to see the opposition keeper pull off a fine save and tip the ball over his bar.

Both Teams then had further close efforts before Witheridge broke away on 75 minutes to score from a shot on the edge of the area which went low past Strawbridge.

Unusually for Tipton they lost concentration and, within a minute, Witheridge doubled their lead with a very similar effort.

This spurred Tipton into action and three minutes later they pulled a goal back with a 25-yard effort from Barry Youlden which beat the keeper.

Two minutes later Tipton were awarded a free kick for a back pass picked up by the Witheridge keeper and blasted the ball just over the bar.

Shortly after both Teams were reduced to ten men after a brawl in the Witheridge area.

Tipton continued to press for an equaliser and Adi Small went close on 89 minutes with a lob which went just wide, but that was the closest they game to getting the equaliser their contribution to the game undoubtedly deserved.

The Tipton Man of the Match award went to skipper Neil Goodin who had an immense game at the centre of his team’s defence.