Brocton were caught well and truly on the hop in this game. A corner was conceded very early and before anyone had settled Copsewood had swung over the corner and the slightest of headers from Jackson redirected the ball high into the net.

Brocton then produced a decent raid down the right flank with neat passing between Sam Bell and Lee Scott, before Scott’s eventual cross went beyond everyone. The returning Gary Fife chased the ball and returned it to Tom Tonks, whose shot was turned out for a corner. The first corner was headed goal wards, but again deflected out, but the second was met solidly enough by Richard Reeves, but went over the bar.

A repeat move on the quarter hour saw Bell hit the cross bar and Matt Skinner’s follow up cleared off the line, but from then on Coventry took control.

The unfortunate Bell had to come off for injury and the reshuffled team sent Ben Harrison on in midfield, Andy Chandler from midfield into the back three, Matt Skinner left and Richard Jones right and no doubt that took a little time to adjust to, as did Chandler’s withdrawal at half time through injury, but Copsewood were simply too alert and quick for their visitors and up to half time it was only their own apparent lack of belief in the final third which kept the score to one nil at half time.

Richard Miller took Chandler’s place after half time, giving the team an attacking look, but although Scott and Miller both harried and probed, only a Fife flick header and a Scott head over the bar came from their early second half attempt at a revival.

Copsewood looked more and more assured as their harrying brought Brocton mistakes in midfield and their eager running off the ball once in possession threatened to stretch the visitors.

It was another corner which effectively made the game safe and this time the ball seemed innocuous on its way in, but somehow the bounce eluded the defenders and Fowler gleefully swept it in almost on the hour.

With the home side still working hard, but now with the comfort of a two goal cushion, Brocton did well now to contain them, but could make little impression in the attacking third.

The visitors did manage to produce a period of decent pressure and the home keeper was forced at one stage to save a goal bound header from his own central defender, but this was Copsewood’s day and as Brocton put more into attack the inevitable break away was  rehearsed twice before finally getting the end result it deserved as the nippy Thompson weaved his way into the Brocton box and put the game beyond doubt with ten minutes to go.

 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.

Richard Charles Pepper was born on 21 January 1929. He was the last of seven born to Sidney Norris and Winnifred Nellie Pepper, and one of three brothers who were Old Edwardians, the others being Tom and Bob Pepper. He was the uncle of Nigel Pepper, also an Old Boy.
He was an accomplished sportsman enjoying cricket hockey and football – the latter at Brocton FC. Following his time at King Edwards he was articled at Wright and Westhead Accountants. Upon qualification as an accountant he joined Henry  Venables where he became the Company Secretary and Accountant. His career at Venables spanned three decades.
He served his National Service in Egypt and upon his return to Stafford married Pat Wilton , a former High School girl and sister of Dick Wilton. He was a long serving and active Rotarian who gained a local reputation for his talks on history, a dry sense of humour and persuasive manner.
Pat died on 17 July 2008 by which time Richard was suffering from Lewy Body Dementia. After a short time at home he moved to a care home where he died on 1st September 2009. He left two children John and Sarah, and grandchildren, who live locally. At his funeral on 8th September 2009 at Stafford Crematorium a number of tributes were led by fellow Old Ed John Wood.