Cups 2002-03

One man's joy was another man's heartache as Tipton Town lifted the inaugural Birmingham FA Midweek Floodlit Cup, beating Rugby Town 4-1 at the Tipton Sports Academy.

Rugby's Ian Brooks had the kind of game goalkeepers dread, picking the ball out of the back of his net within seconds of kick off. A long ball from Peter Woodbine was met by Ravi Sangha who lobbed Brooks for his first of three strikes on the night.

A nervy first half ensued, with Rugby struggling to play catch up from then on. Phil Poole linked up well with Martin Thompson along the left wing 15 minutes into the game, their attack clumsily extinguished by Tipton's Gary Rhodes who received a booking for his challenge on Thompson.

The resulting free kick gave Rugby their best chance of the half; Thompson again in the thick of the action, seeing his close range shot deflected over the bar.

The tempo of the game remained high, with over-zealous tackles seeing Tipton's Stuart Mole and Rugby's Phil Poole booked in the first period.

Paul Gibbons rose highest at a corner in the 27th minute, but Gary Price punched clear. The ball was put back into the mix by Casey Waldock but Steve Rule could only head wide.

Tipton struck early again after the restart; Ashley Langford breaking down the right, crossing into the box for Sangha to head home. His hattrick was completed in the 65th minute when a looping Ricardo Marshall cross from wide on the left was bundled over the line after Brooks struggled to gain control.

The Rugby 'keeper probably thought things could not get any worse, but they did in the 72nd minute when he collected the ball in his area and kicked it straight into one of his own players. The rebound fell to Marshall who found himself with an open net and Tipton's 4th goal.

Credit should go to Rugby for continuing to push forward. Pete Poole launched a hopeful free kick with 20 minutes to go, but saw his shot collected by Price.

Their consolation goal came from a 78th minute penalty, awarded for shirt pulling on substitute Mark Rolph. Lee Lavery made sure from the spot.

A jubilant Jon Worsey lifted the Midweek Floodlit Cup in front of a 350-strong crowd, completing the first year of the competition with an emphatic win.

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