Town taken down by ruthless Hunters

West Midlands Regional League Division One

TIPTON TOWN 1 SIKH HUNTERS 3

LAST August’s 6-3 victory was a distant memory for Tipton, as their visitors underlined their recent climb up the table.

Sikh Hunters moved positively from the outset, and on 18 minutes, Alex Brogan’s free-kick into the area was well met by Tyrone Atkinson, his smart header defeating keeper, Chris Thomas.

On 27 minutes Tipton created some difficulty for Sikh Hunters, sadly without reward, when Teejay Davies’s snapshot on the turn almost out-foxed keeper Liam Haynes.

The visitors were soon seeking to increase their lead after the break, Connor Scott stretching well to intercept an incisive through ball by Todd Perry. Tipton, however, were now moving forward with far more purpose and, on 58 minutes, almost equalised, Teejay Davies’s surprise reverse shot eliciting a superb last second save by Haynes.

Minutes later, however, and Tipton’s hopes of much-needed points were dashed, Dan Jones cleverly manoeuvring into space to guide the ball home, the keeper well beaten.

Tipton responded with vigour, Davies producing some sterling play, and all desperately endeavouring to win back some pride, at least.

Tipton gamely refused to submit, Adam Skeldon curling a free-kick into the visitors’ penalty area only to see keeper Haynes, parry clear.

On 76 minutes however, Tipton were fortunate not to concede further, Jeston Nisbett’s wild mis-kick in front of the home goal, following a left wing cross, luckily going unpunished. Home keeper, Thomas cleanly held Sanjay Malhi’s much more than useful header, following a flag-kick in the 81st minute before, just a minute or so later, the overworked home midfield and defence was pierced once again, Nisbett the beneficiary, to make it 3-0.

On 88 minutes home skipper, Sam Hesson forced the ball home to give the home club some consolation, if little else.