Tipton Town 4-2 Boldmere St. Michaels
Boldmere's three year stranglehold on the Walsall Senior Cup was broken by an impressive display of pace and power from league rivals Tipton Town, regarded by most in the black country camp as their best display of the season.
Having twice lost out to late goals at the Tipton Sprorts Academy this season, the Mikes knew they wer in for a battle. The home slide flew out of the traps, playing neat football on the greasy surface.
Keeper Adam Jenkins was called upon within two minutes to make a fine block as the home side drove forward looking for an early breakthrough.
The Mikes were forced to defend manfully to restrict Tipton to half chances. Richard Huckfield rose highest to head home from a free kick, but the whistle had already gone for pushing at the far post.
Towards the midway point of the half, the Mikes gradually began to get a foothold in the game and exert some perssure.
This was rewarded with the breakthrough on the half hour. Kirk Smith turned away from Huckfield to deliver an inch perfect cross for the onrushing Stuart McNaught to power a header beyond Cox from 15 yards.
The Mikes were soon back on the offensive after the restart. Kirk Smith seemed to be fouled just outside the 18 yeard box, but the referee was unmoved. Tipton seized the loose ball and broke at pace. A similar challenge on the edge of the Mikes box was penalised by the referee, much to the annoyance of the Mikes contingent following their denial moments earlier.
Their frustration was compounded when the ball was rolled square for Ryan Mosedale to crash an unstoppable 25-yarder past the diving Jenkins for 1-1.
The game was now end-to-end with both sides searching for another breakthrough. The Mikes were denied the lead thanks ot a marginal offside decision, after Lee Osborne drove home a stunning drive into the top corner.
The home side were then denied a strong penalty appeal when Tom Stevenson bravely threw himself in the way of a goalbound effort. The ball definately struck his arm, but the referee decided this was unintentional and waved play on.
However, the home side did grab the lead after 39 minutes, through Nathan Jones. Adam Swain headed out a dangerous cross, but the ball fell for Jones who swivelled superbly to fire into the roof of the net from 10 yards.
The setback rocked the Mikes on their heels. Unfortunately, half time didn't come soon enough, as the home side extended their lead two minutes later. Nicky Pugh strode forward before guiding home a curling effort from 30 yards, via the underside of the bar.
The game continued in entertaining fashion after the break. The Mikes changed formation to go on the offensive as they searched for a way back into the game.
Tipton continued to look dangerous on the break. Jones was denied by Jenkins, then wasted a good situation when he should have released strike partner Morris.
The Mikes were looking a threat, but without carving out clear chances. The Mikes threw caution to the wind with attacking substitutions, and were rewarded after 71 minutes. Jason Holmes latched on to a flick on as he drove at the heart of the Tipton defence. Holmes quickly switched the ball between his feet to guide a neat finish under the diving Cox.
The Mikes poured forward as they sensed a route back into the game. However, they were rocked again 5 minutes later. Jones broke clear of the Mikes defence. Stevenson got back to challenge as Jones twisted and turned as he attempted to get a shot in. Stevenson slipped as he turned, bringing down Jones in the process.
Although it was somewhat inadvertant, there was no doubt it was a penalty. The referee issued a yellow card, ruling that Adam Wood was in a covering position as he tracked towards the goal line.
Nicky Campbell emphatically despatched the penalty to restore the home side's two goal cushion.
The Mikes still pressed and had strong penalty claims of their own turned down, when a goalbound shot struck fomer Boldmere defender Dan Parker on the arm. Given the earlier penalty turned down, it would have been very harsh to give this one.
That proved to be the last real threat as the home side ran down the clock to secure a Bescot clash with Rushall Olympic.
Although a fourth successive Walsall Senior Cup triumph was not to be, Manager Rob Mallaband reflected that this was excellent preparation for the Mikes own Bescot date, as they will face more of the same when they take on AMFA league champions Market Drayton Town in the final of the Polymac Services League Cup (Tue 5th May 7.30pm).
Boldmere: Adam Jenkins, Adam Swain, Matt Jackson, Tom Stevenson, Adam Wood, Stuart McNaught, Anthony Juxon, Kirk Smith, Jason Holmes, Lee Osborne, Ricky Baker
Subs: Mark Mason, Rob Clarke, Simeon Tulloch, Peter Gould, Stuart Grosvenor.
