Tipton top their league

Tipton kicked off a new season against newly promoted Beacon Knights and due to unforeseen circumstances had no keeper, so injured midfielder Lee Strawbridge bravely took the gloves.

Tipton started the game well knocking the ball about confidently and creating a few half chances before skipper Neil Gooding went close with a header on 15 minutes. He again went close 10 minutes later with a lab from the edge of the area.

On 30 minutes a Jake Freeman header was stopped on the goal line by a Knights defender with his hand and the referee awarded a penalty. Left back Kevin Sexton, who has made a welcome return following a broken ankle last season, stepped up and smashed the kick home.

Tipton then continued to have the majority of the possession only allowing Beacon Knights very rare chances although Lee Strawbridge did make a fine save low down to his right.

Tipton’s superiority paid off in the 43rd minute when following an excellent attacking move Jack Collins lobbed the advancing keeper from 20 yards to double their lead at half time.

Tipton pressed right from the whistle at the start of the second half and Jody Freeman went close with a long range shot within a minute of the restart.

On 50 minutes Jake Freeman did well to head a ball down for Adrian Small who shot just over the bar.

A minute later Adam Connett latched onto a through ball and took the ball round the keeper only for a defender to block his shot and knock it out for a corner. From the ensuing kick he headed just wide.

On 59 minutes Ashley Small made a great run on the right of the area, beating a number of defenders before crossing for Adam Connett who again had his shot blocked.

Tipton continued to dominate and on 68 minutes Jody Freeman made a great run on the left before shooting just too high.

Three minutes later Neil Gooding made a great run on the right of the area with the ball before shooting into the side netting.

On 80 minutes Beacon Knights had their best chance of the game but Lee Strawbridge made a great save from a close range shot to deny them.

Five minutes later Tipton ensured their victory with a fine move involving Adam Connett, Neil Gooding and Jody Freeman before the ball went to Jack Collins on the edge of the area. He did really well to control the ball and turn with it before calmly placing it into the far corner of the net past the keeper.

Tipton almost scored again on 87 minutes but were denied when Jody Freemans shot was well saved by the keeper.

This was a fine 3-0, well deserved victory for Tipton and was a fine effort by the whole squad.

Man of the Match honours went to skipper, Neil Gooding who was superb in midfield and also supporting both the defence and the attack. A special mention should also be made for midfielder Jack Collins, who came up from the Reserve Team at the end of last Season, for the two excellent goals he scored.

Tipton St John 2nds 5, Lapford 2nds 1

A brilliant start to the season for Tipton St John seconds, playing three games in eight days scoring sixteen goals and currently top of their league, writes Mike Dawe.

Tipton were slow to organise against a physical Lapford side and found themselves a goal down in the 20th minute following a long throw and a disorganised defence.

The goal ignited Tipton into action and many attacks on goal were unrewarded despite good link-up play between midfield and the forwards. Tipton’s well-deserved first goal was headed in by Jonny Beer following a well-executed cross from Chris Surridge.

The second came soon when Matt Daly (Man of The Match) set up Jake Allen.

With confidence high and the desire to win, Tipton’s second half goals came from Jonny Beer, and Allen, who completed his hat-trick.

Tipton started the second half extremely strongly, it was clear to all that there was only one side who would win this game, the very frustrated slow unorganised Lapford side were no match. The remaining goals were scored from the industrious Jonny Beer with quick feet easing his way past the Lapford defence and the hard working talented Jake Allen, who received an excellent pass from Eddy Kerr for his second goal and making the match complete with his well-deserved hat trick following a stupendous individual run. A long way to go but the best start ever!