Exmouth Amateurs 1, Tipton St John 0

Tipton can consider themselves unlucky not to have got something out of a fine game away to second placed Exmouth, writes Richard Williams.

In the first half both teams played well without creating many clear cut chances. Dale Strawbridge made a fine save from an Exmouth free kick on the edge of the area and later an Adam Connett long-range shot was saved. Tipton created the first chance of the second half with a Jody Freeman back header from a long throw which was saved. Five minutes later Dale Strawbridge made another fine save from a free kick, diving full length low to his left.

Exmouth took the lead when a cross from the left went over the keeper and into the net. Both teams continued to battle and Strawbridge again did well on 84 minutes to save a close-range effort. A couple of minutes later Tipton should have scored but, although it looked to supporters as if their effort was cleared off the line by a defender’s hand, no penalty was given. Tipton piled on the pressure and went close when a Jack Collins’ header smashed the inside of the post but bounced out. This was a superb performance by all the players but Man of the Match honours went to central defender Jake Freeman who was magnificent throughout the game. Tipton are at home to Phoenix Club on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.