Tipton Toppled by Adams’ Firepower

This portrays a somewhat different picture as does the statistic that if Leamington, who reached the half-way stage in their league programme before today’s game, perform exactly the same in the second-half they would have finished sixth last season, the only target ever mentioned by manager Jason Cadden before the season started. And a comprehensive win today by an unchanged side with few injury problems suggests that this team can do better than that.

It was a bitterly cold day with a brisk wind that had several die-hards of the 393 crowd hugging the club-house warmth until just before kick-off. Tipton’s Marcus Brown felt unwell and was replaced, with the agreement of club and officials, by Ravi Sangha shortly before kick-off. He subsequently had to go to hospital, reported under Players’ News below.

Tipton played neat football but seemed to lack that final bite needed to turn good approach work into goals. And their defence seemed hesitant and readily unsettled by the fast, direct play of Brakes’ front runners.

It was no surprise therefore when a superb through ball from McKay found Richard Adams and he sped past two defenders, rounding the ‘keeper to slot home for 1-0 in the 8th minute. With Brakes making all the early running, and the defence, with no changes forced by injury, looking more solid than of late, Tipton were on the back foot.

Two more breaks on goal had their defence scurrying back before a Howell corner in the 17th narrowly missed conversion by Morgan leaping higher than anyone else. But a second was not long in coming and Morgan released a defence-splitting pass for Richard Adams to control beautifully and roll past the advancing ‘keeper, 2-0 in the 24th.

At 2-0, with memories of recent defensive frailties fresh in the minds of the faithful, the next goal would be critical. But, though a period of sustained pressure from Tipton briefly threatened, the defence held firm though Morris, in the Brakes’ goal, was forced to make a diving save in the 41st, and got down well at a forward’s feet in the 44th. Tipton’s forwards seemed to lack the threat they showed at their place in October.

Brakes were back on top from the start of the second half and started to make more chances as Tipton pushed up to try to get back in the game. Husband juggled the ball before volleying just over in the 52nd but a swift break by Tipton showed that there was still life in the Town in what was becoming an absorbing game with both teams playing football in a good spirit.

Morgan was using his height to nullify Tipton’s high crosses but, as a result of his defensive duties, was lost to midfield as Tipton enjoyed another brief period of ascendancy without ever really looking dangerous. But, on the hour, Brakes reimposed their authority and Tipton were never, thereafter, in the game.

In the 61st Richard Adams broke through to see his shot turned aside and Blake rode two, desperate tackles to force a corner shortly afterwards. Things got worse for Tipton when Jon Adams, who I’m sure would admit to having had a torrid spell in his last few matches by his own high standards, came off the bench breathing fire and intent and started to control the midfield.

But it was a measured pass by McKay that led to the inevitable third Brakes’ goal when he fed Richard Adams who turned and drove home for 3-0 and his hat-trick in the 66th. Kelsall came on for a welcome return in the 73rd and Stacey replaced the hat-trick hero up front minutes later. With another match on Tuesday it may have seemed that Brakes were shutting up shop by putting on defender Stacey for a striker but youth-team watchers remember Stacey as a prolific striker and knew differently.

Brakes were well on top for the final 20 minutes with Jon Adams seemingly trying to emulate brother Richard with a late hat-trick. He tricked and turned into the box time after time and, with Husband giving Brakes width on the left, this was turning into a heart-warming display on a foot-freezing day.

Jon Adams crashed a shot against the bar from 25yds in the 84th, then nodded a long ball over the onrushing ‘keeper, but just wide, two minutes later. Blake blasted over when a panicking defence gave away a free-kick after another Jon Adams run in the 87th and Stacey volleyed superbly to bring an equally magnificent save from Cox in the Tipton goal two minutes later. With added time ticking away Cox saved well again, this time from Husband, to keep the score down to respectability as Brakes threatened to run in the extra goals that their dominance for much of the game deserved.

Leamington: Richard Morris; Ryan Howell; Darran Tank; Ryan Parisi; Andy Crabtree; Stuart Herlihy (Jon Adams 65); Josh Blake; Leon Morgan [Capt]; Jody McKay (Kristian Kelsall 73); Richard Adams (Neil Stacey 76); James Husband
Subs Not Used: Tom Sidwell; Paul Shepherd

Tipton Town: Wesley Cox; Rapinder Gill; Brett Love; Ross Miller; Hardip Dhanda; Tim Johnson (Jasvinder Singh 71); Ashley Langford; Aaron Bishop; Ravi Sangha; Lee Rollason [Capt]; Danny Coates (Scott Stevenson 78)
Subs Not Used: Marcus Brown; Chris Waterhouse; Danny Watson

Attendance: 393

Players' News: Tipton’s Marcus Brown was taken to Warwick hospital after collapsing in the dressing room shortly before kick off. He was released later Saturday evening to be referred to his GP but has sent his thanks through Tipton’s programme editor, Dan Simpson, who picked up Marcus from the hospital and writes:

”He's very thankful for the staff that came to his aid and I'd like to pass on thanks from Marcus and myself to everyone at Leamington. Especially to the bloke who directed me to Warwick Hospital I have no idea of his name but thanks to everyone.”

Other News: Don’t forget there’s another home match this coming Tuesday, another rearranged match against Chasetown who, despite Brakes’ victory there only a couple of weeks ago, are the MFA’s current form team. Please try to make it; just put on your woollies and wrap up.

Birmingham Senior Cup quarter final tie away to Moor Green (playing at Solihull Borough’s ground) is confirmed for Tuesday 14 February with the scheduled home, league match v Biddulph Victoria postponed.