JW Hunt Cup

Just ten minutes into this game, with Tipton already showing pace and flair, Brocton were clearly going to have to be on their mettle to stay with the Midland Alliance side. A ball to Mick Fox on the left hand touch line was worked into Tom Tonks, just inside Tipton’s area, but seemingly well marked. The ball slipped past his nearest defender though and Tonks needed no second invitation to slide the ball coolly into the net beneath keeper Matt Osbourne.

Tipton broke quickly in response and within the minute had grazed the angle of bar and post with a shot from fully 35 yards. Twice in succession then Brocton attempted to remain cool under pressure and almost over did it. First Dean Crowley was caught right on his own bye line, but recovered well to get the ball away and then Richard Hewitt was robbed in midfield and the speed of Tipton’s break gave them a 4 on 4 situation. A neat step over a cross field pass left Chris Rabone time and space to shoot, but his effort went over the bar.

It was an overlap on the left flank which brought the home side their reward as a low hard cross was missed by everyone in the Brocton box and Liam Bood was at hand on the far post to rifle home.

Brocton then made a good break of their own, but a ball slipped forward by Steve  Bennett was cut out and yet another Tipton fast break was on this time Dean Crowley cut out the vital last ball in and set up Bennett on the right. He beat one tackle and road another before his cross was cut for a corner. Tom Tonk’s corner was beaten away for a throw, but his throw caused more problem as Crowley challenged for it and defender Rick Huckfield could only direct it into his own net.

That was on the half hour and less than a minute later another Tonks throw was allowed to bounce deep inside the box and Sam Bell had the simplest of tasks to give Brocton a two goal cushion.

Tipton continued to threaten, particularly down the left hand flank and on 42 minutes a great cross from that route beat everyone including two raiding Tipton forwards to go out for a goal kick.

The open nature of the game suggested more goals but,  whilst the second half  produced plenty of action, there were few serious goal threats. The best came from Steve Bennett after a jinking run and fierce shot which Osbourne did well to beat away.

The home side stepped up the pressure as the game drew to a close and Richard Jones did well to head out when the Tipton right winger looked set to pounce on a deep cross, but this was Brocton’s night.